Welcome to Columbus, Coach Henrik Rydström!

WELCOME TO COLUMBUS, COACH HENRIK RYDSTRÖM!

The Columbus Crew announced today that Henrik Rydström has been named the ninth full-time head coach in Club history. Rydström – who most recently led the renowned Malmö FF of Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top football division – comes to the Black & Gold with 10 years of coaching experience, including seven as head coach of Swedish sides, after playing professionally

for 24 years.

During his first year at the helm of Malmö FF in 2023, Rydström directed the team to the Allsvenskan championship with a 20-6-4 record. In 2024, he guided the squad to back-to-back league titles and a Swedish Cup victory, completing the club’s first such double since 1989. 

Rydström is joined by assistant coach Theodor Olsson and First Team analyst Mak Pakhei. Crew goalkeeper coach Phil Boerger and head of video & data analysis Marc O’Neill will continue in their roles with the Club. 

The Crew open their 31st season with back-to-back Western Conference road matches at Portland (Saturday, Feb. 21, 10:30 p.m. ET) and Sporting Kansas City (Saturday, Feb. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET) before hosting Chicago Fire FC for the home opener at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. Fans can secure single-match tickets to the Crew-Fire matchup below!