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Michael Bradley becomes Red Bulls’ 21st coach in 31 seasons, taking job his father once held

Dec 15, 2025 | 9:40 AM

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Former Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley became the New York Red Bulls’ 21st coach in 31 seasons when he was promoted Monday to replace Sandro Schwarz, taking over a job his father held two decades earlier.

Bradley, a former U.S. national team captain, was hired on June 12 as coach of Red Bulls II in the third-tier MLS Next Pro and led the team to the league title.

The 38-year-old had 17 goals in 151 international appearances from 2006-19 and spent 20 years playing for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (2004-05), Heerenveen (2006-08), Borussia Mönchengladbach (2008-11), Aston Villa (2011), Chievo Verona (2011-12), Roma (2012-14) and Toronto (2014-23).

Bradley was an assistant to his father Bob with Norway’s Stabaek in 2023-24. His father coached the U.S. from 2006-11 and Toronto from 2021-23.