From Captain to Coach: Michael Bradley begins new chapter with Red Bulls II

From leading the U.S. Men’s National Team on the world’s biggest stages to playing among the very best in Europe, Michael Bradley is stepping into his next challenge and returning to where it all began.

On Thursday, the New York Red Bulls officially introduced Bradley as the new head coach of their MLS NEXT Pro side, New York Red Bulls II.

It’s the first professional head coaching role for the iconic American midfielder, who retired in 2023 after a 20-year playing career that spanned top clubs across Europe and MLS.

“This is a dream opportunity for a young coach to be at this club. To be inside the Red Bull family, I couldn’t be more excited,” Bradley said during his introductory press conference.

The New Jersey native became the youngest signing in MetroStars history after being selected in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft at age 16.

Internationally, Bradley went on to earn 151 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, captaining the side at multiple Gold Cups and two FIFA World Cups.

After returning to MLS in 2014, Bradley led Toronto FC to four Canadian Championships and a historic treble in 2017 before hanging up his boots in 2023.

Bradley now takes over a Red Bulls II squad sitting atop the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings. NYRB II's position at the top of the standings is a testament to the work of outgoing head coach Ibrahim Sekagya, who will now be part of the Red Bulls' first-team staff, and the club’s current crop of talented players.

Bradley’s hiring also highlights how MLS NEXT Pro is becoming a valuable platform for developing not only players, but coaches as well.

"At Red Bull, we’re not just developing players, we’re developing coaches,” said New York Red Bulls Sporting Director Julian de Guzman. “One of my tasks coming here 18 months ago was to really connect the groups between Academy, Red Bull II and the first team. So when you're able to build these strong connections, relationships, and entire organization under one strong culture, it allows the connection to be had amongst players and coaches as well.”

Now, Bradley inherits a team where the expectations are clear: continue to win games and prepare players for the next level.

“Red Bulls II will always be about trying to find the absolute best balance of developing players, being competitive and winning,” Bradley said. “We’ll do our best to make sure we put ourselves in positions to be successful and still try to help every single one of the players develop and improve so that they can take the next step.”

For the New York Red Bulls, Bradley brings the right mix of experience and vision to drive both development and winning. They are confident he's the right man for the job.

“You’ve seen what he’s done on the field as a player,” de Guzman added. “He’s going to bring a lot of wealth of knowledge, of history, as a captain for his country as well. One of the greatest American players of all time is sitting here at Red Bull today.”

“For any young player that has come through the Red Bull Academy or is coming in as an international to Red Bulls II, you’re getting world-class knowledge on a day-to-day basis,” he concluded.

Bradley’s new chapter begins Friday, June 21, when he leads New York Red Bulls II on the road against Carolina Core FC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

You can catch every MLS NEXT Pro match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.