USMNT legend Michael Bradley named Red Bulls II head coach

The New York Red Bulls II have named U.S. national team legend Michael Bradley head coach, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.

RBNY II is Bradley’s first head coaching job. Bradley worked as an assistant on the Canadian national team coach staff under Jesse Marsch during this international window. He retired from his illustrious playing career in 2023 and then joined Stabæk as an assistant coach under his father, former USMNT manager Bob Bradley.

Bradley began his playing career for this organization, then known as the New York MetroStars. Now, he begins his head coaching career at the club, too.

RBNY II features in MLS Next Pro. It is the Red Bulls’ second team and he will oversee the development of young talents graduating the academy. This role will allow him to develop as a young manager as well.

Bradley has already began integrating with Red Bull global and the organization sees him as a top young coach, per sources.

Upon Bradley joining his coaching staff for Canada this window, Marsch was excited to have the USMNT legend.

“The main reason is for him to see what we do and learn from it,” Marsch said, via The Athletic. “But the side effect is that he’s been a big player and done big things. He’s been at World Cups. The guys all know who he is. He has a good way of just connecting with guys and sharing experiences. He’s a high-level football thinker. He’s excited about starting his coaching career.”

Bradley is a MLS and USMNT Legend

Bradley earned 151 caps with the USMNT, third-most all-time. He led his country at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, an integral piece of both squads.

On the club side, Bradley became the youngest MLS player to be transferred abroad in 2006 when he was acquired by Dutch club Heerenveen. He excelled in the Netherlands and then had stints with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Aston Villa, Chievo and then AS Roma, before returning to MLS as a blockbuster signing by Toronto FC.

Bradley was the leader of a complete overhaul in Toronto, from one of the worst clubs in MLS to a perennial winner. He won one MLS Cup, one Supporters’ Shield and four Canadian Championships. Bradley got to two more MLS Cup finals as well as a Concacaf Champions Cup final.

There was always a belief Bradley would translate to an excellent coach, given his cerebral nature and leadership qualities, as well as the trailblazing coaching career his father had as the first American manager in the Premier League when he took charge of Swansea City in 2016.

RBNY II head coach Ibrahim Sekagya will coach his last match as second team manager on June 15 before joining Sandro Schwarz’s first team staff.