After a largely successful pre-season stint in Florida, the New York Red Bulls introduced their new coach, Sandro Schwarz, and Designated Player, Emil Forsberg to the press. Red Bulls Head of Sport, Jochen Schneider, was also in attendance and entertained questions on the state of the team.
Schneider addressed the press, expressing the club’s excitement for their new coach. “Sandro is a coach who brings a lot of energy with him,” Schneider said in his opening statement. “He’s a great leader, a great human being, that reason is number one. Secondly, his style of play fits perfectly with our style of play so it’s a perfect match. And the third reason is that he’s able to build a team and that he’s able to develop young players.”
New York, New Coach, New Hopes
From Europe to America
Schwarz, a manager in Russia and Germany prior to his appointment in New York, is aware that there is unfinished business for the Red Bulls. “I’m responsible to get the results,” he admitted. While the Red Bulls have earned playoff spots in every year of the Red Bull Arena era, the MLS Cup has eluded them.
New coach Schwarz was asked about the Red Bull style of play, which still relies on a high press. This distinctive style can lead to dangerous turnovers for New York’s advantage, but did not help get the ball into the net enough last season. Schwarz expressed his belief in that Red Bull style of play, but added, “it’s also… necessary that we find solutions with the ball and that we have controlled situations with the ball.”
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Swedish International Emil Forsberg
Forsberg is one of four signings in this current transfer window. He greeted the press and shared his excitement for the new challenge: “I’m very very motivated, [I’m] hungry to win.” Forsberg entered the Red Bull organization as a young player with RB Leipzig during its rise to the Bundesliga and led the team into European competition and helped win a DFB Pokal trophy. RBNY hopes his experience and leadership make an impact on the team. A couple of goals like this wouldn’t hurt, either:
This is what Emil Forsberg can do‼️ Now just wait until you see it live.
Home opener. March 9. BE HERE. 🎟️ | https://t.co/KUL3rAY6wV pic.twitter.com/GZ5iHkZgWh
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) January 29, 2024
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The First Last Word on New Coach Sandro Schwarz
After nearly thirty years of Major League Soccer, it takes a lot more than a new coach to get fans excited and optimistic about the upcoming season. Schwarz has to earn some goodwill from New York, in the form of goals and wins. Preseason wins don’t move the needle: the Red Bulls will have to bring the excitement from March to October.
The Red Bulls won a friendly against USL Championship side Hartford Athletic behind closed doors at the Red Bull Training Facility before leaving for California and the Coachella Valley Invitational pre-season tournament. Opponents include St. Louis City, Austin FC, and LA Galaxy. More information can be found at https://coachellavalleyinvitational.com/.
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports, of a Sandro Schwarz Headshot, on February 2, 2024.
