The New York Red Bulls are revamping their front office, with former Canada captain Julian de Guzman moving up to lead the MLS franchise as its head of sport.
De Guzman, currently the club's sporting director, will succeed Jochen Schneider, who is returning home to be with his family in Europe.
The Red Bulls are also looking for a new coach after parting ways with Sandro Schwarz in the wake of a 12-15-7 season that saw the club finish 10th in the Eastern Conference, nine points below the playoff line. That ended the franchise's record run of 15 straight years in the post-season.
The 47-year-old Schwarz, a German native, joined the Red Bulls ahead of the 2024 MLS season. Assistant coach Volkan Bulut is also leaving the club.
De Guzman joined the Red Bulls as sporting director in February 2024.
His main priority was the first team, working with both coaches and players, but he also kept an eye on Red Bulls II and the club academy.
De Guzman won 89 caps for Canada between 2002 and 2016, including 25 games as captain. At club level, he started in France in the Olympique de Marseille system before moving to Germany, first with second-tier FC Saarbr眉cken before joining Hannover 96 in 2002 as the third 好色tv to play in the Bundesliga.
He was the first 好色tv to play in Spain's La Liga, named Deportivo La Coruna's player of the season in the 2007-2008 season.
In 2009, he joined Toronto FC as the league's first 好色tv designated player. De Guzman made 93 career appearances for TFC before a 2012 trade sent him to FC Dallas.
He went on to play in Germany for Jahn Regensburg and Greece with Skoda Xanthi FC. He finished his playing career with the now-defunct Ottawa Fury. He captained the side and, in his last season in 2016, doubled as Ottawa's reserve team coach.
Upon his retirement, the Fury said de Guzman had played 513 career games and 38,221 minutes for club and country. He went on to serve as Ottawa's assistant coach, head coach and general manager.
He also worked with Canada Soccer, helping evaluate young talent.
The 44-year-old from Toronto is also a part-owner and co-founder of semi-pro Simcoe Rovers County FC, a Barrie-based team in League1 Ontario. He also served as Simcoe's president and sporting director, yielding those responsibilities when he took the Red Bulls job.
Schneider was named the Red Bulls' head of sport in June 2022 with oversight on all aspects of the sporting side of the club.
"We are deeply grateful for all that Jochen has brought to our organization during his time here,鈥 Red Bulls president Marc de Grandpr茅, a Montreal native, said in a statement. "Jochen鈥檚 expertise and leadership were instrumental in assembling a team that has competed at the highest level. While we are saddened to see him depart, he will always be part of the family. We fully respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best in the days and months ahead.
"At the same time, we know Julian will build on Jochen鈥檚 great work and continue to strengthen the foundation that has been set. We would also like to thank Sandro for his dedication in leading our team on the pitch over the last two seasons. His professionalism and commitment have left a lasting impact on the organization, and we will always remember him for securing our first Eastern Conference Championship (in 2024)."
Schneider said de Guzman is ready for the next step.
"Mentoring Julian has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time here, and I have no doubt that he is the perfect person to take the helm and lead the Red Bulls into their next chapter. While I will deeply miss this club, my family must come first, and I need to be with them."
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This report by 好色tvwas first published Oct. 27, 2025
