A bombshell at the New York Red Bulls: The MLS club is parting ways with coach Sandro Schwarz. Jochen Schneider’s chapter overseas is also coming to an end.
He came close to winning the title in his very first season. It was only in the final, which was lost 1-2 to Los Angeles Galaxy and Marco Reus in December 2024, that Sandro Schwarz and the New York Red Bulls’ MLS title dream came to an end just under a year ago. In 2025, they only managed 10th place in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, which meant they did not qualify for the playoffs. Now, the former Bundesliga coach (Mainz, Hertha BSC) has been surprisingly let go. His former club announced in a press release on Monday afternoon that it intends to start the coming season with a new head coach.
“Lasting impression on the organization”
“We would like to thank Sandro for his commitment in leading our team on the field over the past two seasons,” said Marc de Grandpré, president of the New York Red Bulls, in a statement. “His professionalism and dedication have left a lasting impression on the organization, and we will always remember him for securing our first Eastern Conference championship. “
Schwarz had to contend with enormous personnel problems in his second MLS season in New York. Scottish international Lewis Morgan and Cameron Harper, two key players, were sidelined for months. Initially, despite missing out on this year’s playoffs, the signs seemed to be green for continued cooperation with Schwarz. He was involved in the planning for the coming season. At the beginning of the week, there was a U-turn.
Since the beginning of the year, Schwarz’s former Mainz coach Jürgen Klopp has been pulling the strings as Head of Global Soccer in the RB soccer empire.
It’s also the end of the road in New York for Schneider
In addition to Schwarz, Jochen Schneider is also leaving the MLS franchise, which has three former Bundesliga pros under contract: Emil Forsberg, Alexander Hack, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Schneider (formerly with VfB Stuttgart, Schalke, RB Leipzig, among others) had been sporting director of the New York Red Bulls since June 2022. According to the club, the 55-year-old is leaving MLS at his own request to return to his family in Europe. “We are deeply grateful to Jochen for everything he has contributed during his time with our organization,” said President de Grandpré. “Jochen’s expertise and leadership were instrumental in putting together a team that competed at the highest level. Although we are sad to see him go, he will always remain part of the family.”
Schneider will be succeeded as sporting director by former Canadian international Julian de Guzman, who made his mark as a professional in Spain (La Coruna) and Germany (Saarbrücken, Hannover, Regensburg) and most recently worked under Schneider at the Red Bulls.
In addition to Schneider and Schwarz, Schwarz’s assistant coach Volkan Bulut is also ending his chapter in New York.