Michael Bradley, former captain of the United States men's national team, has been appointed head coach of the New York Red Bulls, becoming the club's 21st manager in 31 seasons. He replaces Sandro Schwarz, who was dismissed on 27 October after the team failed to reach the MLS playoffs. Bradley takes over a role his father, Bob Bradley, held two decades earlier.
The 38-year-old steps up after a successful stint in charge of Red Bulls II in the MLS Next Pro third tier, where he was appointed on 12 June and led the team to a league title. Bradley enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning 151 international caps for the USA between 2006 and 2019, scoring 17 goals. His club career included spells at the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, Heerenveen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Aston Villa, Chievo Verona, Roma, and Toronto.
Bradley previously served as an assistant to his father at Norway's Stabaek in the 2023-24 season. Bob Bradley coached the US national team from 2006 to 2011, managed Egypt between 2011 and 2013, and had a brief stint at Swansea City in 2016.
The Red Bulls finished 10th in the MLS Eastern Conference this season with 12 wins, 15 losses, and seven draws, missing the playoffs. Schwarz was sacked after two seasons, despite guiding the team to the MLS final last year. The club, founded in 1996 as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, has never won an MLS championship.
In the recent MLS Cup, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1, and Messi was named MLS MVP for the second consecutive year, a first in league history.
