GOAL takes a look at three managers whose seats are heating up just over one-fourth of the way through the MLS campaign
Two have already been two managerial changes in the 2025 MLS season as CF Montreal and Sporting Kansas City have already moved on from the coaches they began the 2025 campaign with. Montreal sacked Laurent Courtois, and Sporting mutually parted ways with longtime manager Peter Vermes and there could be a few more names joining them as patience is running thin on several underperforming teams.
D.C. United sit 13th in the Eastern Conference and have just two total wins under their belt. Manager Troy Lesesne has struggled to figure out his defense, and they've conceded 22 goals in 10 games as a result – tied for the most in the league with the Chicago Fire.
Meanwhile, reigning champions LA Galaxy have become a case study. They're winless to begin the campaign, with seven losses under their belt. Could we see Greg Vanney removed from his position just months on from claiming MLS Cup? Or will LA allow him to try and turn things around as the season goes on?
Then, there's Atlanta United. So much money spent, but they're arguably the biggest underperformers in the Eastern Conference – and potentially all of MLS – to begin 2025. They appointed a former MLS Cup-winning coach in Ronny Deila during the offseason, but he's managed just two wins in 10 games so far. They have to trust that he'll figure things out, right? …. Right?
GOAL takes a look at the coaches on the hot seat 10 weeks into the 2025 MLS campaign.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportTroy Lesesne, D.C. United
D.C. had a rough 2024 season, and things aren't much better this time around. Of course, Christian Benteke – the lone bright spot last campaign – is still performing at an exemplary level, but is now sidelined for "a few weeks," per Lesesne. The Belgian striker is dealing with a quadriceps strain, and without him available, things are going to get even worse if something doesn't change. Nothing is really going to plan, and it's up to their embattled manager to figure out why.
They missed out on the playoffs last year, and to begin the 2025 campaign, D.C. is 2-5-3 with a -11 goal differential – the second-worst in MLS, only trailing the Galaxy.
The club has an expected xG of 18.26 through 10 games, but they've only scored 11 goals – five of which have come from Benteke himself. Defensively, D.C. has allowed the fourth-most shots with 57 in 10 games, and has just one clean sheet under its belt. The club has also committed the second-most fouls in the league, with a whopping 145 leading to 29 yellow cards – the most in MLS.
They've played chaotic soccer without much structure, and outside of their Belgian talisman, they have very little going for them. Perhaps that's a front office issue as well, by not utilizing funds and resources properly to build around Benteke, but ultimately it's on Lesesne to get the most out of his squad and the players he has available.
If things don't turn around fast, a change in personnel could be on the cards.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportGreg Vanney, LA Galaxy
If you asked Riqui Puig the question, he would give you a resounding "no," about sacking Vanney. Literally, he made the exact post saying so on social media after a Galaxy fan page on X floated the idea to its followers.
However, it's not up to the players what happens on the touchline – even if their emotions are taken into consideration. Rather, this is entirely a front office and ownership decision, and coming off an MLS Cup to be the worst-performing MLS team in history has implications. There's a certain sense of, as harsh as it sounds, mediocrity with LA at the moment. No team fears them, and frankly, LA hasn't given them a reason to this season.
Tied with Montreal for the lowest point total at just three, they've scored just eight goals total this season and have averaged two goals conceded per match through 10 matches. They're winless at home with a 0-4-1 record – the ground they lifted MLS Cup just this past December.
Sure – there are some bigger-issue things going on at the club level – but this ultimately rests on Vanney's shoulders. He still has two elite forwards in Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil, as well as the same back line that lifted last season's trophy. Right now, they're playing at an unacceptable level, and if that doesn't change soon, he could be looked at as replaceable.
Getty Images SportRonny Deila, Atlanta United
Ronny Deila was expected to hit the ground running in Atlanta. Backed by an offseason spending spree north of $30 million – headlined by Emmanuel Latte Lath and the return of Miguel Almirón – the Five Stripes had built a squad that, on paper, looked stronger than the NYCFC team Deila once guided to an MLS Cup title.
So… what’s gone wrong?
Despite the investment and talent, Atlanta sits 12th in the Eastern Conference with just two wins from 10 matches. Both victories came at home – they've gone winless in four road games – and they've scored just 11 goals all season. For a club with top-four expectations, it's a worrying start.
Yes, some growing pains were to be expected. Latte Lath is adjusting to a new league, unfamiliar pace and physicality, and Atlanta’s artificial surface. But 10 games in, those explanations are wearing thin. The results simply haven’t matched the resources poured into this squad.
Deila was hired to elevate this group. Instead, they’re slipping further behind the East’s elite. A team expected to compete for a home playoff game – or even a conference title – is underperforming across the board.
It may feel premature to question Deila’s job security just months into his tenure. But in a league evolving as quickly as MLS, patience is no longer a given. If the Five Stripes continue down this path, the questions will only get louder.
GettyOthers to watch
+ LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo has announced he is stepping down at the end of the 2025 season, and moving back to Germany – a country where the majority of his professional career was played.
+ St. Louis CITY SC's Olof Mellberg is still adapting to life in MLS, but he's struggled to find any solutions to the club's issues in the final third. With just two wins in 10, and seven total goals scored to begin the season, criticism will start to come his way if the club doesn't find itself competing for a playoff spot by the halfway point of the campaign.
+ Toronto FC are off to a rough start to life under manager Robin Fraser, with just one win in 10 matches to begin 2025. If things don't turn around by the time Leagues Cup starts, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the club look in another direction on the touchline.