For the first time in 15 years, the New York Red Bulls missed the MLS playoffs. Fans clamored for change, and RBNY answered on Monday with a sweeping overhaul to the sporting leadership structure.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz is out, less than 12 months after leading the club on a memorable playoff run last year that ended with a loss in MLS Cup. He lasted just two seasons with the Red Bulls, joining with extensive experience in the Bundesliga.
RBNY wasn’t a particularly great regular season team in 2024, but Schwarz led the club to a series of upsets in the playoffs and an improbable place in the final, where it lost to the LA Galaxy. The team regressed in 2025, despite adding Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and having a healthy season from Emil Forsberg. RBNY finished 10th with 43 points, 10 points behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
In the front office, Julian de Guzman will replace Jochen Schneider. The club says Schneider has decided to return home to be with his family in Europe.
“We are deeply grateful for all that Jochen has brought to our organization during his time here,” RBNY president Marc de Grandpré said in a club statement. “Jochen’s expertise and leadership were instrumental in assembling a team that has competed at the highest level. While we are saddened to see him depart, he will always be part of the family. We fully respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best in the days and months ahead.”
Schneider had been the club’s head of sport since 2022. His tenure came with some highs, including bringing in Forsberg, but ends with the playoff stream being snapped. The biggest blemish in 2025 was that the club had an open DP spot this summer and chased Timo Werner, but failed to sign him (or line up a replacement). The Red Bulls still has that DP spot open, which is a crucial offseason building block for de Guzman to use.
De Guzman joined the club in 2024 as the No. 2 under Schneider. The former Canadian international was the first from his country to play in La Liga and earned 89 caps.
The club has spent more money and added more veterans than in recent history, increasing the pressure for results. It was a big disappointment to see the drop off in 2025 after the memorable 2024 playoff run. RBNY’s streak of making the postseason was the longest in league history – and its abrupt ending has created a strong response.
As for what’s next? Michael Bradley just took over as coach of MLS Next Pro side New York Red Bulls II and is highly-viewed within Red Bull global. Is he ready for the first team after just a half season with the second team, though?
Another name that comes to mind: Jim Curtin. The former Philadelphia Union manager pulled out of the running for the New England Revolution job and was unlikely to take another role in 2026, but sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic the Red Bulls gig is a job he’d be open to next year given the proximity to his family in Philadelphia.
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