Former Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley has been named as the new head coach of the New York Red Bulls. Bradley takes over from Sandro Schwarz, who was let go in October after two seasons. New York Red Bulls missed the playoffs this season after a 15-year streak, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-15-7. In 2024, they reached the MLS Cup final but were defeated by the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Bradley, 38, retired as a player in 2023 after a decade with Toronto FC. He quickly transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach at Norway’s Stabaek under his father Bob Bradley in 2024. In June, he became the coach of the Red Bulls reserve team. Under his leadership, the Red Bulls II clinched the MLS Next Pro Cup title in November.
The announcement of Bradley as the head coach of the first team came on December 15, with New York sporting director Julian de Guzman also praising his appointment. Bradley expressed his excitement at the news conference, highlighting his ambition to take on the role.
A New Jersey native, Bradley has a history with the Red Bulls, having been selected by the then-MetroStars in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft when his father was the coach. Throughout his career, Bradley played in various countries before joining Toronto FC in 2014.
De Guzman commended Bradley’s work ethic and winning mentality, emphasizing their shared goal of building a competitive and attractive team. The duo aims for more than just making the playoffs, focusing on developing a dynamic and youthful squad. The Red Bulls have already made roster changes in line with this vision.
Bradley’s experience as a player and his leadership qualities position him well for his coaching role, with a focus on creating a high-performing team environment.