Red Bull New York named Juan Carlos Osorio as its head coach today. Osorio, who served as an assistant coach/conditioning coach for two seasons for the franchise from 2000-01, returns after successful coaching stints for the Chicago Fire (MLS) and Club Deportivo Millonarios (Fútbol Profesional Colombiano). Per league policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"Since our search began, Juan Carlos was at the top of our list," said Red Bull New York Managing Director Marc de Grandpre. "When I first met Juan Carlos, he outlined the same philosophical values of soccer and building a team that we also strive to follow. Juan Carlos has gained an impressive amount of coaching experience in three continents and his strong knowledge of American soccer and MLS and ferocious work ethic make him the perfect individual to lead our club into the future and towards an MLS Cup."
"It is an honor and privilege to return to New York and lead the Red Bulls," said Osorio. "Red Bull is an organization committed to sporting excellence. They are committed to making this franchise successful and I am looking forward to contributing to that success."
Osorio, 46, returns to New York after guiding Chicago in 2007 to a 6-3-6 record in 15 MLS matches and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Final. Osorio joined the Fire as head coach on July 9, 2007, taking over for Dave Sarachan. Before Chicago, Osorio served as manager for Club Deportivo Millonarios, one of the most storied clubs in the Fútbol Profesional Colombiano (Copa Mustang) in 2006-07. The Colombian led the Bogotá-based club to an 11-6-7 record during the 2007 Finalizacion (closing) season and a fourth place finish out of 18 teams in the Mustang Cup. Osorio's leadership helped Millonarios qualify for the 2006 Copa Sudamericana, one of the top club competitions in South America.
Prior to Millonarios, Osorio spent five years (2001-06) in the English Premier League (EPL) with Manchester City, starting as conditioning coach before being promoted to assistant coach. Before joining Manchester City, Osorio spent two seasons (2000-01) as assistant coach/conditioning coach in New York for the MetroStars.
Under head coach Octavio Zambrano, Osorio helped the New York capture the 2000 Eastern Conference regular season title and qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs each season. Osorio began his coaching career as assistant coach/conditioning coach with the A-League Staten Island Vipers (1998-99).
Osorio's playing career included stints with the New York Fever (1996-97), New York Centaurs (1995-96), Brooklyn Italians (1994-95) and Staten Island Vipers as well as Deportivo Periera (1982-84) of the Colombian First Division and Second Division Risaralda FC (1984). In 1982, he saw time with the Colombian Under-20 squad.
A native of Santa Rosa del Cabal, Colombia, Osorio holds an English Football Association "A" coaching license and a coaching certificate from the Royal Netherlands Football Association. He earned a B.A. in exercise science from Southern Connecticut State University in 1990 and holds a diploma in science and football from John Moores University in Liverpool, England.
Juan Carlos and his wife, Juliette, have two sons, Sergio (7) and Sebastian (4).
Red Bull New York received permission to speak with Osorio, who was under contract with the Fire, in exchange for the Red Bulls 1st round selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, a 3rd round selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and cash considerations.
The Red Bulls home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 5 against the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium. For ticket information, contact the Red Bulls at 1.877.RBSOCCER.
