MLS Legend Named Red Bulls Boss - What Can Fans Expect From His First Big Role?

Michael Bradley Given First Shot at Senior Management in New York

Michael Bradley is a name some might recall for his three Premier League appearances with Aston Villa in 2011; others may know him as the son of Bob Bradley, the former Swansea City manager, whose spell in the English top flight didn’t last much longer than his descendant's.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Michael Bradley is a national hero. Capped 151 times for his country, the third highest tally of any USMNT player, the central midfielder captained his country 48 times, appearing at both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

Bradley didn’t just capture the hearts of the United States; he also managed to win over their northern neighbours after spending a decade devoted to Toronto FC. Retiring as a Reds legend, MLS Cup champion, and three-time all-star.

Feel pretty confident (and have felt since he was a player) that Michael Bradley is going to be a good coach.

Not just a sharp soccer mind. Think he has the empathy and approach that will resonate in a locker room. https://t.co/pSp5dWlnoc

— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) December 15, 2025

The 38-year-old may have only stepped away from the on-pitch action two years ago, at the end of the 2023 season, yet he already finds himself in his first-ever senior managerial role. Back where it all started at the New York Red Bulls.

From MetroStars to Red Bulls

Bradley was the 36th pick in the 2004 MLS Super Draft, the same selection process that saw Freddy Adu and Clint Dempsey enter the league for the first time. He joined the MetroStars aged 16, the club that would go on to rebrand as Red Bull New York two years later.

The deep-lying playmaker would go on to have an illustrious career in the Eredivisie, Bundesliga, and Serie A, but MLS is where he really glimmered. Despite once sharing the pitch with Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti, it was with Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore that Bradley would win silverware, including Toronto’s famous domestic treble in 2017.

#OnThisDay in 2014, we signed Michael Bradley from AS Roma and the rest is history 🤝♥️ pic.twitter.com/LHVOAA4HNF

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) January 13, 2025

Like Father, Like Son

Within 48 hours of Bradley stepping off the field for the final time in his 19-year playing career, Stabæk Fotball, a club based in Oslo, Norway, announced that he would be joining his father’s coaching team in Scandinavia, initially as a volunteer to help gain experience.

Whilst he might’ve been gifted the chance to get his foot into the coaching world instantly thanks to his family ties, Bradley made no mistake of proving he was deserving of the role. The managerial side of the game was always his post-career plan, earning his coaching badges whilst being sidelined for Toronto in the 2023 season.

Michael Bradley reunites with his dad, Bob Bradley, who is head coach of Norwegian club Stabæk.

Michael Bradley will begin his coaching career working under his father.

What a moment!

(via @Stabaek) pic.twitter.com/N86wcFQB7J

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) October 24, 2023

Upon his appointment at Stabæk, he spoke on his decision to enter the coaching world:

“There’s a period when you’re young or and when your career begins where playing is your dream, and you can’t think about anything else. You don’t want to think about anything else. But obviously, as you get older, and as you start to see the end, then you start to think: okay, what’s going to be next?'”

“For me, the most natural, most logical thing was that I was going to start to work to become a coach. I love the game. I love being on the field every day. I love the work and everything that goes into it.”

In between Norway and New York, Bradley also spent some time with Jesse Marsch at the Canadian National Team set up, learning from a man who had previously worked under his father with the USMNT at the 2010 World Cup, back when Bradley was in the Stars and Stripes squad.

Marsch also made a name for himself as a young coach at the Red Bulls 10 years ago. Winning the Supporters’ Shield twice and the 2015 MLS Coach of the Year award, before going on to coach RB Salzburg, Leipzig, and Leeds United.

Spell with the Seconds

Almost 20 years on from leaving the MetroStars, Bradley returned to New Jersey (despite representing New York, the MetroStars and Red Bulls have always comically played on the other side of the state border) to take over as manager of NYRB’s second team.

Michael Bradley is back where it all began. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/EDQxkk4hnh

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 15, 2025

Over the years, the likes of Tyler Adams, Aaron Long, Brian White, and Matt Miazga have all come through the ranks at the feeder club, all respectable names, especially in the national team set-up.

Between June and November, Bradley coached 19 games in the MLS Next Pro division, the official development league of the country's top tier, losing just four matches on their way to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Bradley then took the Red Bulls II to a new level, winning the MLS Next Pro play-offs to lift the cup for the first time. Standout 2005 talents like Rafael Mosquera, Nehuen Benedetti, and Andy Rojas were integral parts of the title-winning squad and were occasionally included in the first team matchday squad.

Michael Bradley will have his first pro season as a head coach with the New York Red Bulls.
I hope he does well and hopefully… one day… he does what his dad did as a coach for the USMNT 🇺🇸 https://t.co/K9twQYAKkQ

— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) December 15, 2025

The 2015 US Player of the Year’s instant success has earned him a shot at the Red Bulls' top job, a clear statement of the direction the 2024 MLS Cup finalists are moving in.

Bouncing Back Under Brad

The Red Bulls’ failure to qualify for the 2025 postseason ended their 15-year-long record of making an appearance in the playoffs, a league record, and at the time, the longest active streak in American professional sports.

After a shock run to the 2024 MLS Cup final, the disappointment of an 18th-place finish in the Supporters’ Shield standings has hit the club heavily and was enough to send head coach Sandro Schwarz packing after two campaigns at the helm.

The energy drink-owned franchise has already announced the first signing of the second Bradley era. Bringing in 22-year-old Justin Che for an undisclosed fee. The right-back graduated from FC Dallas’ renowned academy and has already been on the books at Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim and Brondby in Europe.

CHE TIME. Welcome to the Red Bulls, Justin 🤝

We have signed defender Justin Che from Brondby IF. #RBNY 🔴 @OANDA pic.twitter.com/fPKvJqCwAW

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) December 16, 2025

The Che deal gives fans an idea of the type of players expected to arrive at the club over the off-season, as ageing starters Lewis Morgan and Carlos Coronel (who will both be 29 heading into the 2026 season) have already been shown the door this winter.

Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will still be central figures to the squad; however, it is expected that the club builds on the young core they have established through U23 talents such as Daniel Edelman, Omar Valencia, Noah Eile, and Mohammed Sofo.

The 38-year-old will be assisted in his first venture into senior coaching by Ibrahim Sekagya, the man whom Bradley replaced at RBNY II upon his own promotion to first team assistant. Combined, they have led the club’s development squad for the last three and a half years, and will have extensive knowledge of all involved in the youth setup.

NEWS 📰 Ibrahim Sekagya has been promoted to a full-time First Team Assistant Coach.

Ibra will join the first team immediately and coach his final @NYRBII match on June 15 vs. Chattanooga FC. pic.twitter.com/RgOSD5NBoa

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 10, 2025

The Red Bulls’ head of sport, Julian de Guzman, is one of Bradley’s biggest fans, claiming that the new coach plays an attractive and refreshing style of football that is clearly influenced by the decades spent in dressing rooms around the world.

Former #TFClive captain Michael Bradley has been named head coach of #RBNY

"I’m looking forward to working alongside everyone here and doing my part to help this club achieve the success our fans deserve." pic.twitter.com/nLIo96rJNK

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) December 15, 2025

With little pressure and expectation placed upon the three-time MLS Cup finalist, and the chance to work amongst the Red Bulls' vast sporting network. This move makes complete sense for both parties and will be an opportunity for Bradley to launch his career and put his name out there away from his father's shadow.