Club: Chicago Fire (USA)

Head coach (around 2020/21): Raphaël Wicky

• Wicky — brief profile and tenure
  • Swiss coach and former international midfielder.
  • Appointed head coach of Chicago Fire in December 2019 after earlier managerial work with FC Basel and Swiss youth setups.
  • Led the club through the pandemic-affected 2020 campaign and into the 2021 season; his time in charge ended in late September 2021 as the club continued a roster and identity rebuild.
• Context around 2020/21
  • The 2020 MLS season was heavily disrupted by the COVID‑19 pandemic — the league staged the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando and resumed a shortened regular season schedule under strict protocols.
  • Ownership and infrastructure: Joe Mansueto became the club’s principal owner in 2019 and the club began playing home matches at Soldier Field starting with the 2020 season, marking a move back into the city.
  • Chicago were in a rebuilding phase, combining young MLS talent with a mix of international signings, and focused on establishing a playing identity under Wicky’s direction.
• Squad notes (players active around that period)
  • Key contributors around 2020 included midfielders such as Djordje Mihailovic and Gastón Giménez.
  • Przemysław Frankowski was a notable attacking/wing option for the club early in 2020 before his transfer to RC Lens during that year.
  • The club also featured a mix of younger prospects and experienced internationals as it tried to build a balanced roster for MLS competition.
• Competitive outlook and style
  • Under Wicky the club worked on structure, pressing and building from midfield, while attempting to integrate new signings and academy prospects into a coherent system.
  • Results were mixed over the 2020 and 2021 campaigns as the team adjusted to roster turnover and the challenges of the pandemic-affected schedule.
• Short chronology (relevant milestones)
  • Dec 2019 — Raphaël Wicky appointed head coach.
  • 2020 — Season impacted by COVID‑19; MLS is Back Tournament; home matches played at Soldier Field.
  • 2020–2021 — Ongoing roster changes and rebuilding efforts; club seeking consistency in results.
  • Late Sept 2021 — Wicky’s tenure concluded as the club moved in a new direction.

Summary: Raphaël Wicky arrived at Chicago Fire just before the pandemic-interrupted 2020 season to lead a club in transition under new ownership and a return to Soldier Field. The period through 2021 was one of rebuilding, roster turnover and mixed on-field results as the Fire looked to reestablish themselves in MLS.