The New York Red Bulls confirmed the latest rumor surrounding their coaching staff on Wednesday morning, announcing that former Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser has signed on as an assistant to newly minted head coach Mike Petke.
Fraser was rumored earlier this week to be in talks with the Red Buls about joining the staff, and Soccer By Ives reported on Tuesday afternoon that the deal was done.
"Robin Fraser is a class act,” Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh said in a statement. “I think he’ll be an outstanding addition to our management team. First, he has the experience of MLS as a player and then as a winning assistant coach. He also had the opportunity on the front line as a head coach. He will bring an enormous amount of enthusiasm, knowledge and coaching acumen to our club.”
LISTEN: Mike Petke talks about the New York coaching staff on ExtraTime Radio
Fraser, 46, was one of the most celebrated assistant coaches in MLS during his tenure under head coach Jason Kreis at Real Salt Lake from 2007-2010. He was largely in charge of a defensive group that emerged as one of the best in the league, and Fraser won an MLS Cup with the club in 2009.
His success there led him to replace Martín Vásquez at Chivas USA before the 2011 season and while the club at times flirted with a postseason push in the first year, success was hard to come by in 2012. The Goats won just seven of 34 games last year and finished on a 14-game winless streak, which ultimately led to the club’s decision to part ways with Fraser and bring in José Luis Sánchez Solá earlier this year.
“Andy and I have consulted extensively over the past weeks about additions to the staff before I was named head coach and believe Robin would be a great member of our team," Petke said in a satement. "I have known and respected Robin for many years and am excited that he decided to join the club. Robin’s tremendous success as a player in MLS has carried over to his coaching career. We believe that he will be a huge resource for me, our staff and our players as we head into this season.”
