Red Bulls assistant coach Bradley Carnell turns down European offers

New York Red Bulls assistant manager Bradley Carnell declined opportunities to coach in Europe this past offseason, although returning to work in the old world remains on the former South Africa international’s long-term agenda.

Carnell, who joined the RBNY staff under Jesse Marsch in 2017, additionally revealed that his current contract expires at the end of the calendar year in an interview with South African outlet IOL.

“There were one or two things back in Europe in late November for a couple of teams and those didn’t transpire. Like I said, I’m very happy in this current moment.”

“We don’t know, maybe in a couple of years but we’ll see how it goes. There’s always ongoing contract negotiations. My deal comes up in December. We will see where that takes us.”

Carnell, who had served as an assistant at Orlando Pirates as well as a television pundit in his home country before joining Red Bulls, also expressed interest in returning to South Africa if it involved a head coaching opportunity.

“I’m preparing for when one day I take on a team myself and take on the challenge of being the head coach when I’m fully equipped to do that.”

“I want to hone my craft and get into step, where I’m coaching at a higher level ... Getting back to Europe is a big goal of mine. But right now I’m really happy and giving my all for the Red Bulls.”

After joining the staff as a junior trainer during the club’s successful period under Marsch, Carnell has risen up the ranks and currently handles the coaching of the RBNY attacking corps. But with new technical hires including scout Paul Fernie, performance analyst Natasha Patel, and ultimately new sporting chief Kevin Thelwell, Carnell is increasingly finding himself part of an old guard in the club’s backroom operation.

Additionally Carnell is a long-term protege of Red Bull soccer chief Ralf Rangnick, who had been his manager during his playing career at VfB Stuttgart in the 1990s. However, with Rangnick reportedly eyeing new opportunities outside of the Red Bull network, Carnell may be beginning to feel less valued as the corporate hierarchy shifts.