Former RBNY defender Chris Leitch Named San Jose Earthquakes HC, Will Coach at Next Red Bulls' Home Game

Former Red Bulls defender Chris Leitch will be returning to Red Bull Arena next month - as head coach of the opposing San Jose Earthquakes.

On Sunday the Earthquakes announced in a news release that they had parted ways with (now-former) head coach Dominic Kinnear after a 5-6-5 start to the season, and simultaneously announced that Leitch would be taking over as the permanent head coach of the team.

The 38-year-old former defender spent five of his ten years of professional soccer with the club, first with the MetroStars from 2003 to 2005 and then in a second stint from 2007 to 2008.

The news release noted that Leitch has held experience in multiple positions throughout the San Jose front office:

Leitch, 38, has held a number of posts with the Quakes since retiring as a player following the 2011 season. He started as the club's academy director in 2012 and was promoted to technical director for the Quakes in 2015. He also served as interim general manager in 2016, following the departure of John Doyle. He becomes the ninth head coach in Quakes history.

Leitch joins Mike Petke (Real Salt Lake), Peter Vermes (Sporting KC) and Carl Robinson (Vancouver Whitecaps) as ex-Red Bulls players currently serving as MLS head coaches.

The Earthquakes will be visiting the Red Bulls in their next home match - Wednesday, July 19th.