New York (AFP) – Two MLS clubs that missed the playoffs dumped head coaches on Monday, with the Colorado Rapids parting ways with Chris Armas and the New York Red Bulls firing Sandro Schwarz.
Armas was involved in talks on a new contract after his deal expired following the season, but the team did not make a new deal. He went 33-36 with 13 drawn over the past two seasons with Colorado, which reached last year’s playoffs but missed out this year, placing 11th in the Western Conference at 11-15 with eight drawn. The 53-year-old American had guided the Red Bulls to the MLS Supporters Shield for the best regular-season record in 2018.
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“We’re grateful to Chris for the professionalism and passion he brought to the club,” Rapids president Padraig Smith said. “He helped our group take meaningful steps forward over the past two seasons and leaves behind a strong culture that will serve us well as we begin this next chapter.”
The Red Bulls ditched 47-year-old German Schwarz in a leadership shakeup that saw Julian de Guzman replace Jochen Schneider as the club’s head of sport for the 2026 campaign. Schwarz went 31-29 with 21 drawn with the Red Bulls since arriving from Hertha Berlin in December 2023.
The Red Bulls, who lost last year’s MLS Cup final to the Los Angeles Galaxy, were 10th in the Eastern Conference this year at 12-15 with seven drawn and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
“I would like to thank Sandro for the last two seasons, especially coaching this team during a memorable 2024 playoff run,” Schneider said.
© 2024 AFP
