Raphaël Wicky’s name has recently appeared among the candidates linked with taking over from Graham Potter at West Ham United.
Mentioned by ExWHUEmployee on The West Ham Way Patreon, the Swiss coach may be unfamiliar to many Hammers supporters, but he carries both a strong playing background and notable managerial experience which is worth looking into.
Raphaël Wicky Playing Career
Born on 26 April 1977 in Leuggern, Switzerland, Wicky made his name as a defensive midfielder, though he was also trusted in defensive roles.
His club career took him from FC Sion to Werder Bremen, Hamburg & Atlético Madrid before finishing in Major League Soccer with Chivas USA.
On the international stage, he represented Switzerland seventy-five times between 1996 and 2008. He played in Euro 1996, Euro 2004 & the 2006 World Cup, scoring once against the Faroe Islands in qualifying.
Raphaël Wicky Coaching Career
After hanging up his boots, Wicky started coaching youth sides at FC Thun and Servette FC in the Swiss Super League.
He later moved to FC Basel, rising through their academy before managing the first team in 2017. That season he delivered a league & cup double, even guiding Basel into the Champions League last 16.
He then switched to the United States, taking charge of the U.S. Under-17s and later Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
In 2022, Wicky returned to Switzerland to manage Young Boys. His debut campaign brought another league and cup double, as well as Champions League football. He parted ways with the club in March 2024 after a difficult run of results.
Raphaël Wicky Previous Links to West Bromwich Albion
Earlier this year, Wicky was heavily linked with the West Bromwich Albion job.
Birmingham Live journalist Joseph Chapman reported in January that he was in line to succeed Carlos Corberan after his departure to Valencia. Albion were set for their first permanent appointment under the Bilkul ownership, and Wicky was firmly in the frame, however in the end nothing came to fruition.
Raphaël Wicky Honours and Achievements
- Swiss Championship and Swiss Cups with FC Sion as a player
- DFB-Pokal and UEFA Intertoto Cup with Werder Bremen
- Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup double with Basel in 2017
- Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup double with Young Boys in 2023
Raphaël Wicky West Ham Shortlist Status
As of September 2025, Wicky is without a club but continues to be linked with roles across Europe.
Claret and Hugh report that while his name has been mentioned, their transfer source confirmed he is not currently one of the final three shortlisted to replace Potter.
The outlet added that his profile does not match the type of manager David Sullivan usually appoints, given his lack of Premier League experience. Still, the mere fact he was linked by ExWHUEmployee gives this link at least some weight… or maybe it was a name thrown in just to cause some chaos.
