Philadelphia Union name Bradley Carnell head coach

The Philadelphia Union have named Bradley Carnell their next head coach, the club announced Thursday.

Carnell arrives with 10 years of professional coaching experience, most recently leading St. Louis CITY SC from their historic 2023 expansion season to last July. He has also served as interim head coach and assistant manager of the New York Red Bulls.

The 47-year-old South African native replaces Jim Curtin, the two-time Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year, who was fired in November after a decade in charge of the Union.

“Bradley has the qualities we were looking for in a manager and the necessary experience as we commit to returning to our identity as a team,” said sporting director Ernst Tanner. “With knowledge of both MLS and international markets, he is tactically astute and in line with our sporting strategy.

“His approach emphasizes a high-pressing style of play while organizing a structured defence. In addition, he shares the club’s vision to develop players. We are confident that he will bring a clear sporting philosophy that will lift the team and deliver a competitive season . We look forward to welcoming him to Philadelphia.”

In 2023, Carnell led St. Louis to the Western Conference’s no. 1 seed in the Audi MLS Cup playoffs and several expansion team records. He went 22W-15L-25D in 62 regular season games.

During Carnell’s interim stint with New York, he guided the club to their 11th straight postseason appearance. Overall, Carnell posted a 6W-3L-5D record.

“I am honored to be named head coach of the Philadelphia Union and I would like to thank the Union’s ownership group and Ernst Tanner for their confidence in me,” said Carnell, a former defender who played in the German Bundesliga and in the 2002 FIFA World Cup .

“Philadelphia is a great city, built on communities of hard-working and passionate people who truly love their soccer. I am excited for this opportunity to build on an already solid foundation and aim to help lift the Union’s organization into the next level that our fans and the city can be proud of.”

Last year, Philadelphia finished 11th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. They won just one league game from mid-April to mid-July, contributing to 37 points (9W-15L-10D).

The Union’s core roster continues to develop, with goalkeeper Andre Blake, midfielder Dániel Gazdag and forward Tai Baribo key veterans. Homegrown Quinn Sullivan, Jack McGlynn and Cavan Sullivan are part of the rising core.

Philadelphia’s 2025 campaign kicks off Feb. 22 at Orlando City SC (7:30 p.m. ET | MLS season ticket).