SECAUCUS, NJ - Red Bull New York announced today it has named Armen Simoniants as its Youth Academy Director. In this role, Simoniants will oversee the Red Bulls Player Development System, including the organization's Academy and Grassroots Training Program.
"After an extensive search for a Youth Academy Director, we are pleased to announce that Armen Simoniants has joined Red Bull New York," said Technical Director Jeff Agoos. "We are excited to have the knowledge and experience that Armen brings to this club. We look forward to his positive contribution not only to our academy and community, but also to the New York Red Bulls first team."
Simoniants was most recently the Head Coach of Moldova FA Premier League side FC Olympia Beltsy last year. Prior to that, from 2000-2006, Simoniants was a coach-instructor for Adults and Youth USSF Coaching Schools and between 2000-2003, was the Head Coach for the MetroStars Reserve Team. Simoniants, who holds an "A" National Coaching License, the highest professional license given by the USSF, has also served as a coach for the U.S. Olympic Development program (1998-2006). He holds a Master's Degree in Physical Education at the Moscow State Sport and Physical Education Academy.
"First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to Jeff Agoos and Marc de Grandpre for offering me this position," Simoniants said. "I feel very excited and proud to be a part of this organization. This club has the best coaches, players and managers in the country and from my standpoint, I'm looking forward to contributing to our Youth Academy and Player Development System."
Prior to coaching, Simoniants had a successful playing career with a variety of clubs in the former Soviet Union. He also was an assistant coach during his time there with FC Krasnay Presnia in Moscow (1984-85), the USSR Army Select Team (1985-89) and the USSR United Football League (1989-91).
