RBNY Fires Mike Petke, Hires Jesse Marsch
- Updated: January 7, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
Less than two months after his squad challenged the Revolution in the Eastern Conference Final, Mike Petke was fired as head coach of the New York Red Bulls.
Metro.us reported that Petke was relieved of his duties on Tuesday after he met with the Red Bulls’ newly-appointed sporting director Ali Curtis. Petke’s firing came less than 24 hours after assistant Robin Fraser left the club to join the Toronto FC coaching staff.
Following Petke’s dismissal, the club hired former Montreal Impact coach Jesse Marsch to fill the vacancy. Marsch went 12-16-6 during his sole season (2012) with the Impact, who finished in seventh-place during their inaugural MLS campaign.
Petke led the Red Bulls to their first MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2013, a year in which the squad won 17 games to tie the club record. The 2013 side also led the league in goals (58) while finishing third in goals allowed (41). Following the season, Petke was shortlisted for MLS Coach of the Year honors.
In 2014, the Red Bulls finished in fourth place with a 13-10-11 record, but clinched back-to-back playoff upsets against defending champion Sporting Kansas City and first place D.C. United. Their postseason run came to an end when they were edged by the Revolution 4-3 on aggregate in the Conference Final.
Following the second leg of the Conference Final, which ultimately proved to be his final match at the helm, Petke spoke about his team’s accomplishments during his tenure.
“I think we’ve made tremendous strides over the last two years, and I’m proud of them,” Petke told the media. “Whatever happens next year as far as what my game plan is, and what we decide to do, this is going to be a great memory.”
The former Red Bulls boss went 3-2-2 against the Revolution across all competitions between 2013 and 2014.
Petke, who enjoyed a 13-year playing career in MLS, attended Southern Connecticut State University.
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