after a season as player-coach at rochester, guppy was recruited for the position of assistant coach to gary smith at major league soccer team colorado rapids. having had one more year on his coaching contract with the rochester rhinos, rochester released guppy from his duties, allowing him to move onto a higher level of coaching. he was assistant coach at the colorado rapids for three years, from 2009 to 2012. during his time at the club the rapids lifted the mls cup in 2010. he left the club when the rapids parted company with gary smith in november 2011. in march 2012, guppy reunited with his old boss martin o'neill at sunderland to work as a part-time coach, giving extra specialised sessions on technical work to "black cats" young players. a few months later he settled into the role on a full-time basis.