New York Red Bulls appoint Sandro Schwarz as new head coach
- Schwarz brings loads of European coaching experience
- 45-year-old last coached Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga
- Red Bulls parted ways with interim Troy Lesesne after first-round postseason exit
New York Red Bulls have appointed Sandro Schwarz as the team's new permanent head coach, replacing the former interim boss Troy Lesesne.
It will be the first Major League Soccer job for Schwarz, but he brings plenty of European coaching experience to Red Bull Arena. The 45-year-old earned his first head coaching job with FSV Mainz 05 after stints with the club's Under-19 & second team's as well as Wehen Wiesbaden and 1. FC Eschborn in the lower divisions of German soccer.
At Mainz, his hometown, Schwarz compiled a 27W-16D-42L record from June 2017 to November 2019 before taking on the Dynamo Moscow job in Russia, where he experienced more success with a 32W-8D-17L record from October 2020 to June 2022.
He then returned to his native Germany to lead Hertha Berlin from July 2022 to April 2023, as he was let go after the team's 5-2 defeat to Schalke 04 that left them in the bottom of the Bundesliga table in 18th place before they were eventually relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.
Schwarz replaces the interim Troy Lesesne, who guided to the team to a 14th-straight postseason appearance after Gerhard Struber was relieved of his duties in May. Despite Lesesne righting the ship and winning a Wild Card contest against Charlotte FC, Red Bulls decided to go in another direction and opted not to renew his contract.
"We are very pleased to welcome Sandro [Schwarz] to the club,” said Red Bulls head of sport Jochen Schneider in a release.
"Sandro is a great leader that fits our culture and his head coaching experience in Europe fits with what we are trying to accomplish. We are excited to get him here and begin to work towards success in 2024."
Schwarz will be expected to guide New York to the postseason to continue their impressive streak after the team crashed out of 2023 MLS Cup playoffs to FC Cincinnati in the first round. Red Bulls have solid pieces to build around with Schwarz at the helm, with John Tolkin, Daniel Edelman and Elias Manoel all making huge strides during the 2023 campaign.
"I look forward to joining the club and getting started soon," said Schwarz.
"I have a lot of motivation to accomplish many great things with this club and I am excited to get to work for the upcoming season. We want everyone to feel right from the start that my staff and I will work for this club with heart, brain and passion," he said.