Bradley Schneider

Red Bull New York enters an offseason of change. With Julian de Guzman assuming the Head of Sport position in place of outgoing Jochen Schneider as part of the club’s long-term succession plan, there has been plenty of speculation regarding de Guzman’s search for a new head coach.

The club parted ways with head coach Sandro Schwarz following Red Bull New York’s first playoffless season in 15 years. Former Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin and current Red Bulls II head coach Michael Bradley have been linked to the vacant head coaching role at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Sacha Kljestan shared his thoughts on the vacant head coach position with Athlon Sports. Kljestan made 121 appearances for the Red Bulls from 2015-17. He currently serves as a studio analyst for MLS on Apple TV.

“I don’t have any inside information,” Kljestan said. “What I’ve seen from the comments from de Guzman is talking about being more about being a better ball-playing team and less of being a crazy pressing team and trying to find more quality that way. It’s very similar to what Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH Jurgen Klopp talks about, as well. Playing the game fast, playing the game vertically, but having good football ideas still.”

Kljestan played alongside Bradley for the United States men’s national team for several seasons. He visited the Red Bulls’ Training Facility, Whippany, NJ and saw firsthand the methods that Bradley has put in place with Red Bulls II.

Bradley began his role with Red Bulls II in June, after Ibrahim Sekagya was promoted from Red Bulls II head coach to a full-time position on the Red Bull New York coaching staff. It didn’t take long for Bradley to achieve success with the reserve team.

In November, Bradley led Red Bulls II to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship over Colorado Rapids 2. Kljestan believes that Bradley has what it takes to be the next head coach of Red Bull New York.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michael Bradley get the job or get the opportunity to interview for that job,” Kljestan stated. “If he were to get hired, I wouldn’t be surprised at all. I think he did a really good job taking over that Red Bull II team. He’s got really good ideas, and he’s got an infectious zest for coaching.”

What might give Bradley the leg up is his playing style, which matches what de Guzman is looking for and aligns with the vision that Klopp is implementing across various clubs owned by Red Bull GmbH.

“I had the opportunity to go and catch up with Michael Bradley one day when I was out east and watch him coach his team in training and see the way he talks to his guys,” Kljestan said. “It’s all the same stuff that de Guzman was saying, that Jurgen Klopp has been saying.”

Red Bull Must Invest Properly To Ensure a Playoff Return

Supporters vented their outrage throughout the season after the club did not sign a third designated player and ultimately missed the playoffs by 10 points after reaching the 2024 MLS Cup final.

While captain Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting turned in fine seasons, a third designated player could help alleviate the pressure on the backs of Forsberg and Choupo-Moting to provide the spark.

“I’m excited for the future of Red Bull,” Kljestan said. “I think they should go out and continue to spend a little bit more money and bring in more quality players if they want to talk about being a ball-playing team. I think they have some good building blocks, but they can definitely add some good pieces.”

The Red Bulls passed on the opportunity to sign RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner after being continuously linked to the 29-year-old German, but de Guzman recently stated that Werner wasn’t the right fit.

It’s more likely that Red Bull New York will use the third designated player spot to sign a creative midfielder who can add more creativity and tempo to the attack in concert with Forsberg.

The search for a third designated player and finding other players who fit into the new model will be important offseason tasks; priority No. 1 will be installing a new head coach.

Given his tactical leanings and work with the reserve team, Bradley could be the next head coach to take over the dugout at Sports Illustrated Stadium.