The Red Bulls mutually parted ways with head coach Gerhard Struber on Monday after winning just one game in the club’s first 11 this season. Troy Lesesne has been named head coach through the end of the 2023 MLS season.
It has been an underwhelming campaign thus far for the MLS club who was expected to be in the conversation for a deep run in the MLS playoffs. Instead, the club started 1-6-4 and was in the spotlight after Belgian forward Dante Vanzeir used a racial slur during a match last month.
Struber has been in the crosshairs of the fanbase, especially after the incident with Vanzeir. Struber had led the Red Bulls to consecutive postseason appearances in 2021 and 2022 after joining the club in 2020.
“I enjoyed my time at the New York Red Bulls,” Struber said in a statement, “It was also clear for me that I wanted to return to Europe at the end of this season, at the latest. It was extremely difficult for me to live here, completely without my family. I informed the club early enough about my wishes and we came to the agreement to part ways. I wish the organization and the players the best of luck moving forward. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the players, staff and know my relationships I’ve built will continue. It was an honor to lead this club. I know they are all going to continue to accomplish great things in their careers.”
Statements from both Struber and Head of Sport Jochen Schneider reiterated that the decision was mutual, though the circumstances surrounding the season could suggest otherwise.
The Red Bulls new coach, Lesesne, had served as head coach and technical director of the United Soccer League Championship club New Mexico United before joining New York in 2022.
