Michael Bradley Appointed Head Coach of New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls have officially named former U.S. men's national team captain Michael Bradley as their new head coach, the club announced on December 15, 2025.

The 38-year-old Princeton, New Jersey native returns to the franchise where his professional career began in 2004, when the team was known as the MetroStars. Bradley replaces Sandro Schwarz, who was dismissed in October after the Red Bulls finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 12-15-7 record, missing the MLS playoffs for the first time in 15 years.Bradley joins the first team after a successful stint with New York Red Bulls II in MLS NEXT Pro.

Appointed in June 2025, he led the reserve side to its first MLS NEXT Pro Cup title, posting strong results including 50 goals scored in 19 matches across all competitions since his arrival."Michael had an exceptional playing career and has demonstrated a bright future in coaching, especially after leading our Red Bull New York II to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup this past season," said Head of Sport Julian de Guzman. "He leads with calm confidence and has a great way of connecting with people."Bradley, who earned 151 caps for the USMNT (third-most in program history), enjoyed a distinguished playing career across Europe with clubs like AS Roma, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Heerenveen, before captaining Toronto FC. His coaching journey began as an assistant under his father, Bob Bradley, at Norwegian club Stabæk.

"I am excited for the opportunity to be head coach of the club that I started my professional career with and also in the state that I call home," Bradley said.The appointment signals a new era for the Red Bulls under de Guzman, with expectations of evolving the team's high-pressing style.