Posted: Mar 31, 2025 / 10:05 AM CDT

Updated: Mar 31, 2025 / 10:13 AM CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday morning that it has “mutually” parted ways with head coach and manager Peter Vermes after fans issued a public statement calling for his resignation on Sunday.

According to the club, after nearly two decades, Vermes will be replaced by interim head coach and Sporting Legends Hall of Honor inductee Kerry Zavagnin.

Vermes has been recognized as Major League Soccer’s longest-tenured head coach and longest-serving manager worldwide.

“It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City,” Vermes said.

“I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future.”

Vermes assumed the position of head coach in 2009 and, since taking the reins, led the team to several successful seasons – including 11 playoff appearances and four first-place appearances in the regular season.

According to Sporting KC, with 203 regular-season wins, he ranks third in the all-time MLS coaches chart and is the longest-serving head coach in Kansas City professional sports history.