Michael Bradley Named Head Coach of New York Red Bulls

Dec 15, 2025 58 Views MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Former United States men’s national team captain Michael Bradley has been appointed head coach of the New York Red Bulls, the club announced Monday.

Bradley earns the role just six months after taking charge of New York Red Bulls II in MLS NEXT Pro, marking his first professional head coaching position. He guided RBNY II to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro championship, accelerating his rise within the organization.

According to the club, Bradley will oversee a roster refresh as the Red Bulls prepare for the upcoming season. That process includes the search for a new starting goalkeeper following the departure of Paraguay international Carlos Coronel, who spent five seasons with the club.

Designated Players Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are expected to remain key pieces of the roster, while the Red Bulls retain flexibility to add a third and final Designated Player during the winter transfer window.

Bradley enjoyed a distinguished 20-year playing career as a midfielder, competing in Major League Soccer and across Europe with clubs including AS Roma, Aston Villa, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Chievo Verona, and Heerenveen. At the international level, he earned 151 caps for the USMNT — third-most in program history behind Landon Donovan and Cobi Jones — and represented the United States at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

He returned to MLS in 2017 and played a pivotal role in Toronto FC’s historic treble-winning season, capturing MLS Cup, the Supporters’ Shield, and the Canadian Championship alongside Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. Bradley retired from playing following the 2023 season.

His coaching journey began in 2023 as an assistant coach under his father, Bob Bradley, at Norwegian club Stabæk before returning to New York to lead Red Bulls II.

“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 in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working alongside everyone here and doing my part to help this club achieve the success our fans deserve.”