Bradley makes it in New York
● Like Sting, Bradley Carnell is now a legal alien in New York. He’s not an Englishman, but he is a “Saffer” Engelsman, and on a career path as assistant coach at the New York Red Bulls that could even take him back to the Bundesliga.
In Donald Trump’s US, where immigration has been a crisis issue, New York remains the world’s greatest immigrant city.
“I’ve not delved into the politics,” Carnell said from Washington, where the Red Bulls beat DC United 1-0 to ensconce themselves in third place in Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Eastern Conference on Wednesday.
“My neighbours never say bad things. That’s one of the beauties of America — whoever’s in charge, they embrace America. Your Uber driver might be a foreigner, but he’s saying, ‘America gives everybody a chance’.
45 minutes to Penn Station
“In every game, we play the national anthem and there’s a real patriotic feel to being part of America. I’m not in the hub of New York. I live on the New Jersey side, about 40km out of Manhattan, on the other side of the Hudson. They call it the Garden State. It’s tranquil, scenic, with a lot of forestation.
“For the city and bright lights, it’s 45 minutes by train to Penn Station at Madison Square Garden. We go for dinner. When you get out of the station, the lights and bustle are unbelievable. It’s nice for a few hours, then you want to head home to your quiet.”
That all sounds a long way from Bethlehem, where Carnell began his professional coaching career with Free State Stars after a 12-year playing career in the Bundesliga.
At 40 (now 41), after his stint as assistant to Muhsin Ertugral at Orlando Pirates, Carnell’s old German ties, and reputation as the ultimate professional as a left-back, landed him the Red Bulls chance in March. It has opened a global network of opportunities.
The coach Carnell joined, Jesse Marsch, left this month to become assistant to Red Bulls’ director of their football teams, Ralf Rangnick, also head coach at RB Leipzig. Rangnick, under whom Carnell had one of his best seasons at VfB Stuttgart in 2001, roped him in to RBNY. Red Bulls clubs’ playing philosophy is overseen by Rangnick, the architect of Leipzig’s phenomenal progress from the lower leagues to the Bundesliga.
NY Red Bulls have changed from the team who Thierry Henry retired at in 2015, when Tim Cahill was also let go. The philosophy now is less about former European-based big names aiming to wind down in the MLS.
Bradley Wright-Phillips — younger, much lesser-known brother of Shaun — became the 11th MLS player to go to 100 goals against DC. He’s the Bulls’ most famous player.
“Before, they brought the big names. Unfortunately, they never were able to win silverware — in terms of winning the MLS Cup, the ultimate prize,” Carnell said.
“And that’s the idea with making signings to a budget. We’re, I think, the sixth-lowest spenders and we’ve been probably one of the most consistent teams.
“We were in the US Open Cup final last year, and the year before won the Eastern Conference, and this year reached the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions League.
“I can’t compare the MLS to the PSL [Premier Soccer League]. But it’s about such close ties to Leipzig, and those daily interactions with guys from Europe, and here in America, where I talk about a higher level.
“I know you’re going to write a story about, ‘Bradley thinks the MLS is a higher level’, and get me into trouble,” Carnell chuckled. “But I’m growing every day and developing every day, and it’s been a logical step for me and something that I could never repay anybody enough.
“This club has set up the structures for players to develop, coaches to develop and people to develop. It’s a way of life.”
We’re sixth-lowest spenders and one of the most consistent teams Bradley Carnell Assistant coach at the New York Red Bulls