New York Red Bulls hire Gerhard Struber as coach

Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls announced on Tuesday that Austrian Gerhard Struber has been named new head coach and will take the reins as soon as he receives his United States work visa. 

The Red Bulls fired Chris Armas from that position in early September. Bradley Carnell, who worked under Armas as an assistant, temporarily served as New York's interim coach. 

"Gerhard is a bright coach, and we’re very pleased to welcome him to the club," RBNY head of sport Kevin Thelwell said in the prepared statement. 

"Gerhard’s playing style and experience in youth development align with our philosophy and above all, as a person he fits into our culture. We look forward to him getting here and working together to achieve the goals we have set as a club."

Most recently, Struber served as coach of English Championship side Barnsley, a job he accepted last November. Barnsley narrowly avoided relegation into the country's third-tier thanks to a 2-1 win over Brentford on the last day of the 2019-20 campaign. 

In their statement, Barnsley said: 

"Gerhard Struber has left Barnsley FC to take the vacant Head Coach position at MLS outfit, New York Red Bulls.

"Whilst the Club are extremely disappointed to be losing Struber, the New York Red Bulls have met a significant contractual release clause after several European clubs expressed interest. Gerhard’s close ties to the Red Bull family made the decision for him in the end."

Struber previously spent time managing through the Red Bull Salzburg academy and as an assistant with RB Salzburg. 

"I am looking forward to getting to know my new team, hopefully very soon," he told the RBNY website. "We want to pursue very ambitious goals together and develop steadily. The challenge of working in MLS makes me proud and gives me massive motivation for a big opportunity."