Red Bulls Revamp Front Office & Coach Departs

 

The scene at a Red Bulls game this past May. Photo by Jason Schott.

The New York Red Bulls announced major changes to their leadership structure, as Jochen Schneider it out as Head of Sport, and Head Coach Sandro Schwarz will also not return.

Julian de Guzman will assume the role of Head of Sport as part of the Red Bulls' long-term succession plan.

Schneider was with the Red Bulls since 2022, and he has decided to return to Europe to be with his family. His tenure was marked by a run to an Eastern Conference Championship in 2024, and bringing in star players Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who had a combined 44 goal contributions this past season.

"It has been an incredible privilege and honor to lead this extraordinary organization and work alongside such talented individuals," Schneider said in a statement. "Over the past few years, I've poured my heart into this club, and I am immensely proud of what we've accomplished together. Mentoring Julian has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time here, and I have no doubt that he is the perfect person to take the helm and lead the Red Bulls into their next chapter. While I will deeply miss this club, my family must come first, and I need to be with them. That said, I will always remain close to Julian and the Red Bulls, and I look forward to seeing the team's continuing success."

De Guzman joined the Red Bulls in 2024, and led Red Bulls II to first place in the Eastern Conference this season, and they will be in the coming Eastern Conference Final.

Known as a trailblazer in soccer north of the border, de Guzman was the first Canadian to play in Spain's top division, La Liga, with Deportivo La Coruna, where he earned Player of the Year honors in the 2007-08 season. Internationally, he notched 89 caps for Canada, making him one of the highest in the nation's history. De Guzman was named Canadian Player of the Year in 2008, and led Canada to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as he earned All-Tournament Team honors in 2007 and '09.

Schwarz became Red Bulls Head Coach ahead of the 2024 MLS season, and they won the Eastern Conference Championship, earning the franchise's second MLS Cup Final appearance. 

This season, the Red Bulls took a step back, as they went 12-7-15, with 43 points, as they came in 10th place in the MLS Eastern Conference and missed the postseason.

In addition, Assistant Coach Volkan Bulut will not return for the 2026 season.