Major League Soccer has grown exponentially in recent seasons, and markets across the United States have seen record-breaking attendance at MLS matches.
The highest-paid MLS coaches likely won’t drive new subscribers to tune in weekly, but several are being paid at salary levels which rival some players.
Topping the list of the highest-paid MLS coaches are two coaches tied at $1 million per year: Phil Neville of the Timbers and Gerardo Martino of Inter Miami.
Neville coached in Miami for two years before signing with Portland in January. The former Manchester United fullback is signed until 2026 with the Timbers.
Argentinian native Gerardo Martino was signed to Inter Miami in June 2023 to replace Neville. Martino was most recently Mexico’s national team coach before taking the job in the MLS.
He was signed partly due to his previous relationship with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, who signed last July amid a wave of attention.
Third is Peter Vermes of Sporting KC. He signed with Sporting in 2009 and earns $750K annually with them. Vermes led Sporting KC to the 2012-2013 MLS cup title.
Fourth on the list is the Union’s Jim Curtin. He makes $700K for the club he’s coached since 2015. Curtin is signed through the 2026 season and won the Supporters’ Shield in 2020.
Rounding out the top five is Brian Schmetzer, who earns $600K annually. The Sounders coach has been with the club in two stints, one from 2001 to 2008 and from 2016 through present day.
Schmetzer is the last coach on the list to earn more than $500K annually.
Miami shells out serious cash for its coaches.
Phil Neville, the former coach of Inter Miami, and Gerardo Martino, current coach, are the only coaches on the list making at least $1 million. Neville had been the only coach earning $1 million with Miami before his move to Portland.
The two earn almost $900K more than Raphaël Wicky of the Fire, the 13th highest-paid coach on the list.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Major League Soccer Coaches
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid MLS coaches. The list was compiled with data from Transfer Markt and MLS Football.
- Updated: June 10, 2024
| Rank | Manager | Club | Total Compensation |
| T-1 | Phil Neville | Portland Timbers | $1 million |
| T-1 | Gerardo Martino | Inter Miami FC | $1 milion |
| 3 | Peter Vermes | Sporting KC | $750K |
| 4 | Jim Curtin | Philadelphia Union | $700K |
| 5 | Brian Schmetzer | Seattle Sounders | $600K |
| T-6 | Greg Vanney | Los Angeles Galaxy | $500K |
| T-6 | Caleb Porter | New England Revolution | $500K |
| 8 | Oscar Pareja | Orlando City | $450K |
| 9 | Ben Olsen | D.C. United | $400K |
| T-10 | Pablo Mastroeni | Real Salt Lake | $350K |
| T-10 | Luchi Gonzalez | San Jose Earthquakes | $350K |
| T-10 | Wilfried Nancy | Columbus Crew | $350K |
| 13 | Raphaël Wicky | Chicago Fire | $159K |
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