Coming to a new league, in a new country, is a “challenge,” but for Sandro Schwarz, it wasn’t complicated at all.
“It was very easy to make this decision to come here, to the New York Red Bulls,” Schwarz said.
Preseason is underway with RBNY, as sessions began in New Jersey and have continued in Florida.
"Six weeks to work hard," Schwarz said.
After his 12-year player career -- with FSV Mainz 05, RW Essen, SV Wehen and Wehen Wiesbaden -- Schwarz went on to coaching stints with FC Eschborn, FSV Mainz 05, Dynamo Moscow and Hertha Berlin. Now, he joins the Red Bulls with the playing philosophy clearly outlined.
“Everyone knows the style: to play with the highest intensity,” Schwarz said.
In 2013, Schwarz moved back to his old club of FSV Mainz, where he started as a U-19 coach and then worked his way up to lead their second team. He was then named Head Coach of his former club in 2017, where he was in charge until 2019 and kept the club in the Bundesliga all three seasons he was there.
“To get the culture of the club, the culture of the country and all the players and staff members. This is very important to me as the coach,” Schwarz said. “I think this is the responsibility for me as the coach and this is a big reason I'm doing this job.”
After his time with FSV Mainz, Schwarz was named head coach of FC Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Premier League. He amassed a 32-17-8 record in his two seasons in charge and led Dynamo Moscow to their first Top-3 finish in 14 years. After the 2022 season, Schwarz joined Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga and was in charge until April of 2023.
“This is a big reason why I'm doing this job and why I'm loving this job: To meet new people, to meet this new culture and to create this special atmosphere,” Schwarz said. “I think every supporter will see that in the stadium, will feel that in the stadium, and that we create these moments all together.”
