Former New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and Colorado Rapids manager Chris Armas has been appointed as the new head coach of the NWSL club Kansas City Current.
Armas replaces the former US women’s national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped away from his head coach role at the end of the 2025 campaign in order to focus solely on his job as Kansas City’s sporting director.
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Armas was most recently managing in the men’s game as the head coach of the Rapids, whom he left in October at the end of his contract. The 53-year-old has had a nomadic coaching career that has also seen him working as an assistant manager at the English clubs Manchester United (under Ralf Rangnick) and Leeds United (under Jesse Marsch).
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Armas led the Red Bulls to the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2018 after taking over for Marsch, who left mid-season for a job at Red Bull Salzburg. He led the Red Bulls to a disappointing finish in 2019 before being dismissed in 2020. He lasted just 15 games in charge of Toronto FC the next season, losing 10 of those games before being let go. His stints at Manchester United and Leeds United followed. He was hired by the Colorado Rapids ahead of the 2024 season but was fired at the end of the 2025 campaign after missing the playoffs.
Armas last coached in the women’s game at the college level, leading the Adelphi University Panthers from 2011 through 2014, boasting an improved record each year capped with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
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During his playing career he earned 66 senior international caps for the US and played 264 MLS games, winning the MLS Cup in 1998. He was named as US Soccer’s male player of the year in 2000.
“We are excited to have Chris in Kansas City, and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to take the club to new heights,” Andonovski told the club’s media channels. “Chris brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable.”
Armas, who already previously was a co-interim head coach of Leeds in February 2023 after Marsch’ sacking, for a Premier League fixture against Manchester United, said of his arrival with last year’s NWSL shield winners: “From the talented group of players, the facilities and passionate fanbase, this club represents a world class environment. Above all, it’s the culture and the people that impressed me most.
“I’m inspired by the shared vision of the ownership and staff, and I will do everything I can to help make the KC Current the best women’s football club in the world.”
