The Red Bulls had intended to transition the head of sports role from Jochen Schneider to Julian de Guzman after the 2026 season. However, plans shifted when Schneider’s wife, Annabella, received a brain tumor diagnosis in mid-September, leading the club to promote De Guzman sooner than expected. This was announced at a press conference at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Tuesday.
The club confirmed Schneider’s departure on Monday, along with the news that head coach Sandro Schwartz would not continue with the team.
Schneider, clearly emotional, stated, “There’s only one solution in this situation, which is why I had to leave the club and return to Germany to care for my wife and three wonderful children. That’s what matters most to me right now.” He also expressed confidence in De Guzman’s leadership, describing him as a “great leader on and off the pitch.”
As the offseason approaches, the Red Bulls face several uncertainties, marking the first time in 15 years they’ve missed the playoffs and having recently fired a coach who led them to the MLS Cup final just a year prior.
However, De Guzman is optimistic about the direction of the club. “It’s definitely going to be a different perspective, not only from a coaching standpoint but also with roster planning,” he explained. “We need to adopt a style of play that aligns with my vision for next season. This isn’t the same Red Bulls we’ve seen in the past. We can introduce creativity and aren’t just relying on a couple of designated players to score for us.” He added that there’s a lot more potential to enhance the roster.
De Guzman envisions creating a “strong, energetic team” that plays “fun football,” highlighting the achievements of Red Bull II, the club’s development team, which he’s been managing during its playoff run in MLS Next Pro.
The Red Bulls are also looking to bring in a third major player for the next season and are already identifying potential additions. However, it seems that discussions around German forward Timo Werner might be off the table, as De Guzman indicated the player doesn’t fit their needs.
A crucial step in executing De Guzman’s vision is selecting a new head coach. He emphasized that he desires someone who “understands MLS very well.” “We want this chapter to create a connection between the New York Red Bulls and the culture here in the United States,” he shared.
