Colorado Rapids set to name Tottenham assistant Matt Wells new manager: Sources
The Colorado Rapids are set to name Tottenham assistant Matt Wells their next head coach, sources briefed on the deal tell The Athletic.
It will be the first head-coaching role for the 37-year-old Wells, who is currently an assistant on Thomas Frank’s staff and previously worked for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou. He has also worked under Scott Parker at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge, racking up key first-team European experience at a young age for a coach. Tottenham declined to comment when reached by The Athletic.
Wells will be one of the youngest head coaches in MLS in 2026. Minnesota United’s Eric Ramsay, 34, is currently the youngest.
The Rapids, who narrowly missed the playoffs in 2025 under outgoing head coach Chris Armas, interviewed a number of candidates both domestic and abroad, but ultimately landed on Wells, who has been aligned with the Rapids’ early offseason moves. The club routinely works with the coaching staff on player recruitment to ensure total alignment.
The squad has some foundational pieces, led by U.S. international and club-record signing Paxten Aaronson. The 22-year-old joined the Rapids in a shock summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt, rejecting offers from RB Salzburg and Southampton, among other interested clubs.
Colorado also has English defender Rob Holding as well as a strong American contingent led by goalkeeper Zack Steffen, midfielder Cole Bassett, left back Sam Vines, defender Reggie Cannon and more.
Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro (12 goals, three assists in 2025) currently leads the attack, but Colorado rejected lucrative transfer offers from Brazilian side Fluminense over the summer and he could still move this winter. If he goes, the club will be able to sign another designated player.
The Rapids turned to the Spurs side of the North London derby despite sharing the same ownership as Arsenal through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. The club interviewed then-Arsenal assistant Jack Wilshere two years ago for its head coaching vacancy but has wound up with a Spurs assistant instead.
