Colorado Rapids hire former Toronto FC head coach Chris Armas to be new manager
What do Toronto FC, Manchester United, Leeds United and the Colorado Rapids have in common? Chris Armas.
On Friday, the Colorado Rapids unveiled Chris Armas as the club’s 10th head coach in franchise history.
The Rapids ended this year at the bottom of the Western Conference and decided to part ways with Robin Fraser — who also worked on TFC’s coaching staff from 2015-2019 — back in September.
Armas was chosen over a list of candidates that included the Rapids’ interim head coach Chris Little and Charlotte FC assistant and former Pacific FC head coach Pa-Modou Kah. Little is expected to stay on Armas’ staff.
Armas most recent MLS role was his brief stint with Toronto FC in 2021. You probably don’t need to be reminded that Armas was sacked after only 11 league matches in charge.
He, shockingly, later served as an assistant at Manchester United under Ralf Rangnick during the 2021-22 Premier League season and briefly at Leeds United under American Jesse Marsch in 2023.
Prior to his failed time in Toronto, Armas won a Supporters’ Shield with the New York Red Bulls in 2018, stepping in during the season after Marsch left RBNY for RB Leipzig. Armas had a 33-27-11 record with the Red Bulls.
Armas had a distinguished playing career, being named MLS best XI five times, winning the MLS Cup and four U.S. Open Cups with the Chicago Fire. He also made 66 appearances with the U.S. men’s national team between 1998 and 2005.
The Rapids have already begun making player personnel decisions this offseason, with Jack Price and Diego Rubio not returning to the club in 2024. This provides Colorado with a lot of flexibility under the salary cap. Must be nice, eh?
The Rapids have DP forward Rafael Navarro on loan from Brazilian club Palmeiras until the summer and will have to decide on a purchase option. Navarro is expected to be a key player in the interim, along with Irish midfielder Connor Ronan, fullbacks Andrew Gutman and Keegan Rosenberry, and rising midfielder Cole Bassett.
Armas had no say in the roster make up at TFC, he failed. Bob Bradley had the authority to do what he wanted with the roster he failed but not just failed badly , he has massively handicapped the next group of coaches coming in, Herdmen is in a tough spot thanks to Boob Bradley.
I’ll be curious to see what he gets out of that franchise. There is nothing in his track record to suggest he should excel.
He had the Michael Bradley seal of approval so he’s saying something American admin likes to hear. Whatever curiosity that might be.
He certainly struggles with weak MLS rosters where he needs innovative ideas and impactful teaching.
I guess after Armas they will hire Terry Dunfield. Some moves are hard to explain.
Did he get his coaching badges yet? Coaching at United and managing Leeds is time consuming.
First instinct is ‘LOL!’… But who knows? Maybe he learned how to coach.