A quick look back at New York’s MLS past reveals that history keeps repeating itself. First, a big-name coach is brought in, then promises are made about the team reaching the MLS Cup final, and finally, when that doesn’t happen, the coach is either fired or mutually agrees to leave. Then the process starts all over again.
The New York Red Bulls are now back at the beginning after the latest “mutual agreement” saw off former national team coach Bruce Arena. The Newark Star Ledger’s Frank Giase says that Arena falls in the category of “better” Red Bulls/MetroStars coaches who, frustratingly, were never given the “talent or commitment to build a consistent winner over a long period of time.” Management, itself somewhat of a revolving door, demands instant results, which contributes to the problem, Giase says. It takes time and consistency to build a winning franchise.
Case in point: two of the country’s best coaches, in Bob Bradley and now Arena, have been let go by this franchise — under completely different ownership. You can be sure the next coach will be foreign, again. Perhaps Red Bull will go after an even bigger name than the L.A. Galaxy’s Ruud Gullit; even so, that coach will probably have to deal with the same high expectations, restrictions, and limited resources as his predecessor.