Big Promotion for their MLS Next Pro Head Coach
Whippany, NJ- On Tuesday, December 15th, the New York Red Bulls filled their head coaching vacancy by promoting Red Bulls 2 coach Michael Bradley as the club’s next head coach for the 2026 MLS Season. After arriving in the middle of June 2025 and winning the MLS Next Pro Championship at Sports Illustrated Stadium against the Colorado Rapids 2 team in a thrilling penalty kick shootout after a six-goal thriller in regulation and extra time.
Former player becomes the head coach
Michael Bradley formerly played for the club back as the MetroStars for his first two seasons in 2004 and 2005. His teammates at the time were Mark Lisi, Amado Guevara, and French World Cup Winner Youri Djorkaeff. He is the second former player of the club to take over the head coaching role, as Mike Petke became the first after Hans Backe wasn’t brought back for the 2023 season.
“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,” said Bradley. “I’m looking forward to working alongside everyone here and doing my part to help this club achieve the success our fans deserve,”
Petke was elevated from assistant coach to head coach, winning the club’s first Supporters Shield at Red Bull Arena against the Chicago Fire. With Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Luis Robles, Lloyd Sam, and Johnny Steele. In 2004, Petke coached the Red Bulls to a comeback victory over Sporting Kansas City in the wild card round, defeating DC United in the Conference Semi-Finals to reach the Eastern Conference Finals against the New England Revolution.
Taking over mid-season at Red Bulls 2
On June 12th, Bradley took over for Ibrahim Sekagya as Red Bulls 2 head coach as he was promoted to the senior side coaching team. While the club was in first place in the Eastern Conference of MLS Next Pro, Bradley led them to the best points total to host home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Defeating the Carolina Core, then the Chicago Fire 2 in the quarterfinals, took down the Philadelphia Union 2 in the semi-finals, then finally, a big victory in the MLS Next Pro Cup Championship at home.
“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 Director of Sport Julian DeGuzman. “He leads with calm confidence and has a great way of connecting with people. We are excited for Michael to bring his philosophy to our first team and continue to lead our club towards success.”
Coaching lineage
Michael Bradley is the son of American Head Coach Bob Bradley, who managed the Chicago Fire back as an expansion side in the 1998 season, winning the double. An MLS Cup Championship and a U.S. Open Cup Championship. Came over in the 2003 season as the MetroStars head coach and spent three seasons putting the club into the 2003 U.S. Open Cup Final.
Coached the defunct Chivas USA club, then was hired by U.S. Soccer as the Men’s National Team head coach, as he led the team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as he led them to draw against England, a controversial draw against Slovenia, which should’ve been a win when the referee blew his whistle to wipe out the go ahead goal and gave no explination and a late goal from Landon Donovan to defeat Algeria, advancing to the Round of 16.
They faced Ghana for the second time and earned a penalty to level the match at one to force extra time, but fell by a final score of two goals to one. He also managed Egypt’s national team, then stints in Europe, and returned to MLS to manage LAFC, then Toronto FC. Bob returned to Norway, managing Stabaek until both sides mutually parted ways.
What to expect from Bradley
While managing a second team is much different than managing a first team, this will be a very tough challenge for Michael Bradley right away. While many might feel he needed a full season at the two team to see how he can handle himself, there’s a feeling of quiet confidence that Michael can do the job. If he has given those players who excelled on the MLS Next Pro side, we can hope he will bring that type of management to the players on the senior side and push them to a successful rebound season.
New York Red Bulls News:
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- RUMOR: Red Bulls in talks with Minnesota United FC trading Peter Stroud for GAM
- Red Bulls Make Roster Moves for New Season
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