Gerhard Struber is still awaiting clearance to arrive in the United States and take over as Head Coach of the New York Red Bulls.
Struber virtually sat down with New York Red Bulls Radio's Matt Harmon to discuss his outlook, his goals and what to expect from him as a manager.
Struber, 43, will come to New York after a 13-year playing career, various roles in youth development, and head coaching roles at Barnsley FC and Wolfsberger FC.
“I had a big education the last few years, especially with the Red Bull style of play,” Struber said in our exclusive with Harmon. “I think the proactive playing style everyone knows that, especially pressing is a big part in this game that you have in the end success and it’s the big key to win games. Also that we have in all four phases in the game we have good answers. I think on the ball we have also a good plan and we need a good positioning."
Struber took over Barnsley last November, with the club in last place, and was able to earn results and avoid relegation to remain in the Championship.
Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell said, at the time of his Head Coaching hire: "We’re delighted to get him, he meets the requirements for our club and the league moving forward. He’s someone I’ve been tracking for some time now. … He has a youth development background, he proved he’s capable of getting results and getting results in playing a style that suits us."
Struber had won 14 games at Barnsley, with eight draws, in 39 league matches. Struber also guided Barnsley to a third-round matchup against Chelsea FC in the Carabao Cup.
“We need in the end players, they understand football in all four phases, and especially the most important thing is that we have players in our group, they are ready for pressing, they are ready for sprints, they are ready to work together. This is, for me, the most important thing that we have success, that we work together very close and teamwork is not only a headline. I will see that every training and you have to work very close together with the right spirit, with the right energy and then we need always a smart tactical plan and I think the Red Bull plan, it’s very helpful for that.”
Struber said that the mix of his roster will be important, not only to continue the Red Bull style of play but to also continue winning ways.
“We have to work when I come to New York, especially in our structure, especially I think more in details and I can feel, I can see a team with very good shape, with very good motivation, with a good mood on the field,” he said. “I think this is the most important thing and for the tactical side, this is my responsibility that players know what I want in a game. But I think I have a good feeling. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience from the tactical side to the players, then I hope for better results, for constantly better results.”
Struber got his coaching start back in Salzburg, managing through the Red Bull Salzburg academy for nearly a decade, and winning a UEFA Youth League Championship, before being named head coach of FC Liefering in Austria’s second division in 2017, where he earned a reputation for developing young talent.
“Without question, he’s well-known to the rest of the organization," Thelwell said. "That helped in the process, we got some very good references, but this is all about New York. Who knows what’ll happen in the future, but we want someone who wants to be in New York. I got that sense in talking to Gerhard. He’s extremely committed to us."
His work with Liefering led to a role with Wolfsberger back in the Austrian Bundesliga, where he led the club to third place in the league standings, and into the UEFA Europa League, highlighted by an upset victory over German power Borussia Monchengladbach. From Wolfsberger, Struber would join English Championship side Barnsley.
“I think in my style, to play football is always normal that you have in the end also a development for players and young players, they learn very quick,” Struber said. “They are ready to learn and to learn things, what is necessary in this philosophy, in this style of play. We need from the one side the young players with the big heart to learn and also with smart decisions. But I need also experience in the team and I think when we have a good mix of that, we are ready for good results, we are ready for good performances and ready for attractive football.”
Struber, a native of Kuchl, Austria, played extensively in the Austrian Bundesliga over 13 seasons. He began his career at SV Austria Salzburg in 1995, and played for a handful of clubs, notably LASK and Red Bull Salzburg, where he finished his career in 2008.
