Head Coach Sandro Schwarz was formally introduced to the media and fans on Friday, and Head of Sport Jochen Schneider was quick to outline what made this hire so special for the club.
“Sandro is a coach who brings a lot of energy with him. He's a great leader, a great human being, that reason is number one,” Schneider said. “His style of play fits perfectly with our style of play so it's a perfect match.”
After his 12-year player career -- with FSV Mainz 05, RW Essen, SV Wehen and Wehen Wiesbaden -- Schwarz went on to coaching stints with FC Eschborn, FSV Mainz 05, Dynamo Moscow and Hertha Berlin. Now, he joins the Red Bulls with the playing philosophy clearly outlined.
“Everyone knows how we want to play, the identity of Red Bull: with high intensity, first of all, and very aggressive against the ball,” Schwarz said.
But he was quick to point out the tactical changes he brings to the table.
“It's necessary that we find solutions with the ball and that we have controlled situations with the ball -- I think you need this in every phase of the game,” he said. “What I have seen the last two weeks in our preseason are big steps in the development of the players: How we want to press, to find the right moments, to find the right timing for these situations, but then to have the right position in our ball position to come direct and in the counter pressing situations.”
Schwarz will be joined by Volkan Bulut, Vedad Ibiševic, and Ibrahim Sekagya will serve as Assistant Coaches.
“The basics are important for us, and, in our training sessions, we are very aggressive in attacking situations against the ball,” Schwarz said. “This is Red Bull soccer, for sure: to find good positions when we have the ball, when we have the situations in the [final] third. Deep runs are very important for us when we have the ball, with highest intensity. This is also then necessary to find the right moment when we can start the pressing and to change together. We have to do this as a team and hold the energy.”
Schwarz said he spoke with Jesse Marsch, who coached New York from 2015-2018, and current United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, who previously coached in MLS for five seasons, to help him understand the league and the road ahead.
Schwarz and Schneider both spoke about the Head Coach’s goal to make the team feel like a “family,” a sentiment echoed by Designated Player Emil Forsberg, who was introduced on Friday as well.
“So far, the whole experience with the guys, with training camp, with the facility - it feels like a family here,” Forsberg said. “That's why it has been easy for me to join the team and feel comfortable with the team and with the guys. I'm excited.”
Schwarz knows how important that is, as his wife and two children have also made the move to the US.
“I have a great feeling here -- with my family, with my two little kids – at our facility, a great atmosphere there, in the front office, in the stadium,” Schwarz said. “I'm looking forward to continuing our process, to continuing our work how we’ve started since the first training session.”
