Colorado Goes Premier League: Rapids Tab Matt Wells as New Boss
The Colorado Rapids just pulled off a massive coup in the coaching market. The club officially announced Tuesday that Matt Wells, a 37-year-old assistant from Tottenham Hotspur, is taking over as head coach.
Wells is leaving behind the bright lights of North London for the altitude of Commerce City. For the past two years, he’s been on the sidelines in the Premier League with Spurs. Before that? He cut his teeth at Fulham, Bournemouth, and Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge.
The Rapids are betting big on this move. Wells replaces Chris Armas, who parted ways with the club after a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw Colorado miss the playoffs with an 11th-place Western Conference finish.
What He’s Walking Into
“We are delighted to welcome Matt to the Colorado Rapids as our next head coach,” said club president Pádraig Smith. “Matt brings extensive Premier League experience, a proven commitment to player development, and a clear tactical identity shaped by his work under some of the modern game’s most respected managers.”
Wells inherits a roster loaded with USMNT talent. Midfielders Paxten Aaronson and Cole Bassett are bonafide national team prospects. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen brings World Cup experience. Defenders Sam Vines and Reggie Cannon add more international pedigree.
The squad also features English center back Rob Holding, Brazilian striker Rafael Navarro, and homegrown sensation Darren Yapi. The pieces are there. Wells just has to put them together.
Youngest Coaches in the League
At just 37, Wells becomes the third-youngest manager in MLS. Only Minnesota’s Eric Ramsay (33) and St. Louis CITY SC’s Yoann Damet (35) are younger.
This is Wells’ first head coaching gig at any level. That’s a massive leap from assistant to the main man, but the Rapids clearly believe he’s ready.
“I want to thank the ownership at KSE for putting their faith in me to take the club forward,” Wells said. “I’m a very ambitious individual who has been surrounded by elite players and managers for the past seven years, and I’m excited to bring my experience and winning mentality to this organization.”
The Rapids finished with 41 points last season and were nowhere near playoff contention by the final whistle. Wells’ job is simple: get this team back into the postseason in 2026. With the talent on hand and a fresh tactical mind at the helm, Colorado fans have every reason to believe the turnaround starts now.
