Chicago Fire boss Frank Klopas, New England Revolution's Caleb Porter and MLS managers on the hot seat

Fire Sporting Director Georg Heitz announced he's departing at the end of the season, while club stalwart Xherdan Shaqiri also mutually terminated his contract with the club at the end of the MLS summer transfer window.

It seems a changing of the guard is coming in Chicago, and that Klopas' time could be up soon, too.

A true club legend, Klopas has been an incredible steward for the club, with this being his second stint with the Fire. Deployed as an assistant from 2020-2023, he was promoted to first-team manager ahead of the 2024 campaign. Unfortunately, the Fire are 14th in the East, on 25 points through 25 matches, with just six wins on the season.

The writing is on the wall. The Fire, if they decide to move on, will most certainly allow their legend to leave gracefully.

Things aren't looking good for Wolff.

The Austin FC manager has the shortest leash of any coach in the league at the moment. He can't afford any other hiccups after missing out on a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs, and continuing that slide into their current regular season campaign.

Austin FC sit 10th in the Western Conference, one spot out of a play-in game for the postseason, and six points out of an automatic berth. They've been on a summer skid, with just two wins in their last 10 regular season matches. On top of that, they have the third-worst goal-differential in the conference, despite their positioning in the table.

Not much has gone to plan in 2024 for Wolff and Austin. If this is another campaign without the postseason, changes is likely to come.

The Revolution are gradually finding form under Caleb Porter, but their dreadful start to the season has left them far behind. With only two wins in their first 13 matches, a brief resurgence - five wins out of six - wasn't enough. The hole they dug seems too deep to escape.

Now, even with that tidy run, they're last in the Eastern Conference, 11 points out of an automatic bid into the postseason. In response, the club broke its transfer record, reportedly spending up to $7.3 million on Luca Langoni and set a new club record in overall summer window spending.

Will that be enough?

Porter hasn't exactly made himself a popular figure in New England. Reports surfaced earlier this year of him scuffling with players and media members alike.

Porter has won MLS Cups with the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew, but the project in New England might have been too much of a challenge. He's treading water.

Courtois led Columbus Crew 2 to the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2022 and finished runner-up the following season before being appointed head coach of CF MTL in January.

In his first senior job, though, things have not gone smoothly. Some factors were out of his control, such as Olivier Renard leaving the club as Chief Sporting Director just three months into the season.

However, his team's performances, do rest on his shoulders. Montreal have just three wins in their last 18 MLS matches. Defensive woes have been this team's failing this seas, with 49 goals being conceded across their 25 matches played. That is second-most in the Eastern Conference.

It wouldn't be too fair to pin all the blame on Courtois, but considering Montreal's impatient ownership, there are reasons for concern.

Vermes may have the longest leash of anybody on this list. One of the most proven managers in the league, he's been in charge of the franchise since their expansion in 2009. Moving on would be the true end of an era and would be the definition of drastic change at the Western Conference club.

He's led Sporting to three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles and a 2013 MLS Cup, but the 2024 season has seen his squad fall short of expectations.

Nearing the final stretch of the season, SKC need momentum, and perhaps a bit of luck - neither of which have come in 2024.

They sit 12th in the Western Conference, with just six wins in 26 matches. Averaging .92 points-per-game, SKC has also conceded the second-most goals of any team across the league with 52. Their defense has not been characteristic of a typical Vermes team, while their attack has left much to be desired, too.

What is concerning is this the second season in a row in which the club will need to bail itself out of a slow start. Last season, Kansas City started the season winless out of their opening 10 matches.

Although it may seem a stretch to put Vermes on the hot seat, this current stretch is untenable. If things don't improve, his era as manager may be coming to an end.