The New York Red Bulls’ Head of Sport, Kevin Thelwell, addressed the media on Friday afternoon after the club parted ways with Chris Armas and assistant coach, CJ Brown.
Bradley Carnell was named Interim Head Coach on Saturday.
“I think the first thing is, it's pretty clear that we've got a pretty clear philosophy and a pretty clear identity, and for sure, we would want that to remain, but perhaps with some adjustments in relation to the context of the league,” said Thelwell in regards to the club’s upcoming coaching search.
When the search for the new Head Coach begins, Thelwell shared certain details on what he will be specifically looking for.
“I think it's pretty clear that what we'd like to do is just frame the aspirations of the club, and the group, and then understand what our identity and our philosophy is in terms of the football and the makeup of the roster, and then start to draw together a shortlist of candidates that we think can fit into those processes, and that strategy,” said Thelwell.
“We're going to stick with the football identity that we've got, and it's apparent through the group, so we're looking for somebody who has the ability to play that sort of style with adjustment,” Thelwell said.
The Red Bulls’ Head of Sport mentioned that MLS experience will not be a requirement in the club’s coaching search.
“I don't think so,” said Thelwell. “Knowledge of football, I think is important. Knowledge of managing people, managing players is important. I think learning to understand the league, and then adjust to the context of the league, I think will be important. So, a learner, and somebody with the growth mindset. I don't necessarily think it has to be somebody who has MLS experience. It's somebody who's got strong football experience and has the characteristics that I just mentioned, that's going to be the priority.”
