Michael Bradley Promoted to Red Bulls Head Coach

HARRISON, N.J. Former U.S. national team captain Michael Bradley was promoted Monday to head coach of the New York Red Bulls, succeeding Sandro Schwarz in a role once held by his father two decades ago.

The 38-year-old Bradley becomes the franchise's 21st coach in its 31-year history. He steps up after guiding the club's second team, Red Bulls II, to the MLS Next Pro title since taking over that position on June 12. The move marks the first major decision under new head of sport Julian De Guzman.

Bradley brings a wealth of experience from a distinguished playing career that spanned two decades. He earned 151 caps for the U.S. men's national team from 2006 to 2019, scoring 17 goals and captaining the side. His club journey began with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 2004 and 2005, the team that later rebranded as the Red Bulls. He then played in Europe for Heerenveen from 2006 to 2008, Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2008 to 2011, Aston Villa in 2011, Chievo Verona from 2011 to 2012, and Roma from 2012 to 2014. Bradley returned to Major League Soccer in 2014 with Toronto FC, where he served as captain until his retirement in 2023.

His coaching path started last season as an...