What's happened
The New York Red Bulls have announced the departure of head of sport Jochen Schneider and head coach Sandro Schwarz after missing the MLS playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Julian de Guzman will be promoted to head of sport, with a new head coach to be appointed. The club aims to overhaul its roster and playing style for 2026.
What's behind the headline?
The Red Bulls' leadership shake-up signals a strategic shift. Schneider's departure was driven by personal reasons, but it coincides with the team's disappointing 2025 season, marked by injury issues and roster inconsistency. De Guzman's promotion indicates a long-term plan to revamp the club's identity, emphasizing a more dynamic, attacking style aligned with the club's developmental success. The decision to bring in a new head coach with MLS experience aims to stabilize and accelerate this transformation. The club's focus on roster flexibility, including adding a third designated player, suggests a desire to diversify attacking options and reduce dependence on star players. This overhaul could set the stage for a more competitive 2026 season, but the success hinges on the new coaching appointment and player acquisitions. The timing of these changes underscores the importance of immediate results, as the club seeks to restore its competitive stature and fan confidence.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports Schneider's departure was motivated by family reasons, emphasizing his role in building the team and mentoring Julian de Guzman. AP News highlights the team's historic underperformance, noting their failure to reach the playoffs and listing past coaches, illustrating the club's ongoing struggles. The Post also details the club's plans for roster and style changes, with de Guzman aiming for a high-energy, creative approach. Contrasting opinions include AP's focus on the team's historical context and struggles, while the Post emphasizes the strategic overhaul and future vision, suggesting a more optimistic outlook for 2026.
How we got here
The Red Bulls, established in 1996, have historically been a competitive MLS team but have never won the league championship. The club reached the MLS Cup final in 2024 but failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2025, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference. Leadership changes follow a period of underperformance and internal restructuring, including the appointment of Julian de Guzman as sporting director in 2024.
Go deeper
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Sandro Schwarz is a German football manager and a former player who is the manager of Russian club FC Dynamo Moscow.
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The New York Red Bulls are an American professional soccer club based in Harrison, New Jersey. The Red Bulls compete as a member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer.