New York Red Bulls announce Sandro Schwarz as their new head coach with the former Bundesliga manager hoping to ‘accomplish great things’ after replacing Troy Lesesne
- Schwarz has had managerial stints in his home country of Germany and Russia
- Now he is set to take charge of the Red Bulls ahead of the 2024 MLS season.
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The New York Red Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Sandro Schwarz as their new head coach following the departure of Troy Lesesne.
Lesesne spent one season as Red Bulls manager after stepping up his role as assistant earlier this year, but after being dumped out of the MLS play-offs in the first round he failed to earn a new contract.
New York chiefs have therefore spent the past month searching for his replacement, and on Thursday it was confirmed that Schwarz will lead the team into the 2024 season.
The German coach has had a number of managerial spells, both at home and in Russia, where he was in charge of Bundesliga teams Mainz and Hertha Berlin, as well as Dynamo Moscow.
He also spent much of his playing career in the German second tier with Mainz, where he played under current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
New York Red Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Sandro Schwarz as head coach
Schwarz spent much of his playing career in Germany with Mainz, where he played under Jurgen Klopp (right), and also coached the team in the Bundesliga
The 45-year-old replaces Troy Lesesne, who failed to secure a new contract at the end of last season
“I'm looking forward to joining the club and getting started quickly,” Schwarz said after joining the Red Bulls. 'I have a lot of motivation to achieve many great things with this club and I am very much looking forward to getting started for next season.'
After his 12-year playing career, Schwarz spent two years as manager of fifth German team FC Eschborn before taking charge of Mainz's reserve team in 2015.
Two years later, he rose to the position of first-team head coach and recorded a famous win over Borussia Dortmund in 2018 that kept them in the Bundesliga.
Since leaving Mainz at the end of 2019, the 45-year-old has spent short stints in Russia with Dynamo and back in Germany with Hertha Berlin.
“We are very happy to welcome Sandro (Schwarz) to the club,” said Red Bulls head of sport Jochen Schneider.
“Sandro is a great leader who fits our culture and his experience as a head coach in Europe fits what we are trying to achieve. We are excited to get him here and start working towards success in 2024.”