Petke, Red Bulls Ink New Deal

Details are scant, but the Red Bulls announced this afternoon that the club and Mike Petke have agreed on a new contract.

Confusion abounded last November, when it was reported Petke was on a one-year contract that hadn't been renewed, despite leading the team to its first ever trophy. Then, everything went a bit crazy, as Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported...

Red Bull Head of Global Soccer Gerard Houllier went on Kicktv and said Petke was on a three-year deal, the natural assumption was that he had inked an extension. That's not the case.

"I don't know where that came from,'' Petke told the Post after Sunday's elimination defeat. "I haven't signed a thing."

Actually, Petke is still on the original deal he signed back in January when sporting director Andy Roxburgh offered him the job. It's a two-year contract, and it hasn't been extended.

"Mike has a two-year contract,'' managing director Jerome de Bontin told the Post. "He has another year on his contract."

Now, one would assume, he's been extended, but there's no mention of the word "extension" in the release. It's still a safe bet, but crazier things have happened.

And while there are no specifics, there are canned quotes.

From Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh...

"Mike is a passionate coach with great potential and this improved contract is the club's way of recognizing last season's Supporters' Shield success," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. "In the highly competitive MLS, winning the regular season title last year was a great achievement and provides Mike and the club with a good platform to build on."

And the man himself, Mike Petke...

"I am pleased to reach a new deal with my hometown club," Petke said. "We have enjoyed success during my short time as head coach and all of the credit goes to our players, staff and most importantly, our supporters. While winning the Supporters' Shield was a major achievement for our club last year, my overall goal of building a team with a long-term identity that our fans can be proud of remains unchanged. I look forward to continuing this mission in the 2014 season and beyond."