Auf Wiedersehen Gerhard Struber- the New York Red Buls part ways

In what can only be considered an anti-climactic event in MLS history, the New York Red Bulls have said “Auf Wiedersehen” to now former head coach Gerhard Struber. The recent melodrama following the Red Bulls both on and off the pitch has finally boiled over and the split between the organization seemed inevitable.

The New York Red Bulls need to hit the reset button fast.

The 2023 MLS season has been anything but kind to the Red Bulls and sitting in the Eastern Conference cellar with a dismal 1-4-6 record and seven total points means they are already on the outside looking in at the playoffs and it’s only early May. Under Struber, the Red Bulls made the playoffs the last two seasons but four straight first-round playoff exits in a row, combined with the astoundingly terrible style of play from the squad early on this campaign, spelled it was time to make a change for this organization.

While Struber seemed to be well versed in the Red Bull tactical system with high-pressing, this style has fallen off the mark this season as this side sits among the “bottom feeders” of MLS. Effective immediately, both Struber and assistant coach Bernd Eibler have parted ways with the Red Bulls and despite the claim that this was a “mutual” decision between the parties, it was time to stop the bleeding and send Struber packing in search of a new coaching job.

HARRISON, NJ – APRIL 15: Members of the Viking Army supporters of the New York Red Bulls hold signs of protest saying “Believe Black Players, Struber Raus or Struber Out” while holding scarves that say Against Racism at the start of the Major League Soccer match against Houston Dynamo FC. The protest is in response to Dante Vanzeir #13 of the New York Red Bulls admitting to saying a racial slur in a previous match and calling for Gerhard Struber head coach of the New York Red Bulls to resign at Red Bull Arena on April 15, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images) /

The Vanzeir Incident has come full cycle.

Regardless of the Red Bulls’ horrid 2023 season record so far, the real catalyst for Gerhard Struber’s downfall in New York no doubt is related to the Vanzeir Incident. During an April 8th match between the Red Bulls and the San Jose Earthquakes, Red Bull striker Dante Vanzeir admittedly through a racial slur at multiple opponents.

While Major League Soccer has condemned the event and calls for action were demanded, Red Bulls’ head coach Gerhard Struber kept Dante Venzeir in the match, and with no further action taken by Struber or the Red Bull organization, anger, and frustration around the league mounted.

Even more importantly, Red Bull supporter organizations staged walkouts of matches at Red Bull Arena to show their disgust not only at the racism but the lack of action resulting from the Vanzeir Incident. ( Coincidentally, Dante Vanzeir has admitted to saying the racial slur at the Earthquakes’ players.) Vanzeir was eventually suspended and fined by MLS for his racist outburst.

HARRISON, NJ – MARCH 18: Dante Vanzeir #13 of New York Red Bulls celebrates his first goal as a Red Bull p[layer with the Audi Goal signage behind him in the second half of the Major League Soccer match against Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena on March 18, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images) /

It was time to say Auf Wiedersehen to Struber and clean house.

With the removal of Gerhard Struber and assistant Bernd Eibler, the Red Bulls may be able to start putting both their dismal performance so far and the Vanzeir Incident behind them. At any rate, a major leadership change signals that the Red Bulls are ready to “clean house” and naming assistant Troy Lesesne as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

For his part, Lesesne makes perfect sense to take over the Red Bulls’ helm since he is already in the organization but not necessarily connected to Struber’s recent decisions. Lesesne is a former USL Championship Coach of the Year with the New Mexico United and should be a breath of fresh air for this club mired in both mediocrity and controversy. Lesesne’s promotion couldn’t come at a more important symbolic time as the Red Bulls get ready for their New York Derby against local rivals NYCFC this weekend.

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