Bradley Returns to His Roots as Red Bulls II Head Coach

Michael Bradley has officially launched his coaching career as head coach of New York Red Bulls II, a move he described as “a dream opportunity for a young coach,” according to Canadian Press. The former Toronto FC captain was unveiled Thursday at the club’s training facility in Whippany, New Jersey, stepping into the role vacated by Ibrahim Sekagya, now a first-team assistant.

Bradley, 37, returns to where it all began. A Princeton, N.J. native, he turned pro at 16 with the MetroStars—then coached by his father Bob—before the club evolved into the Red Bulls in 2006. After a successful 10-year stint with Toronto FC, where he won an MLS Cup and made 308 appearances, Bradley retired in 2023 and began gathering coaching experience in Norway and with Canada’s national team under Jesse Marsch.

The move to Red Bulls II followed months of discussions with Red Bull technical leaders, including Mario Gomez and Jochen Schneider. Bradley spent time in Salzburg and Munich earlier this year to better understand the Red Bull methodology, which he praised as “awesome” and eye-opening.

Red Bulls sporting director Julian de Guzman, a former teammate at Toronto, emphasized Bradley’s leadership and deep ties to the club. The reserve side currently leads the Eastern Conference in MLS Next Pro and will face Carolina Core FC this Saturday. Bradley’s first return to Toronto is set for July 11, when his team visits TFC II—a trip he said he’s looking forward to after more than a year away.