New York Red Bulls II head coach Ibrahim Sekagya has been promoted to to the first team coaching staff, making way for the star-studded signing of Michael Bradley to take his place. While it will be strange not seeing Sekagya patrolling the coaching box at MSU Soccer Park, his promotion doesn’t mean he won’t be a regular on the bench in MLS.
“I told them I’m not going anywhere,” said Sekagya to his team after a post-game ceremony over the weekend. “I’m still here and I’ll be watching every game they are playing and also helping them. They know exactly how I am but it is good to see them and also my family here to have this moment is something you cannot forget.”
Sekagya is turning over the Red Bulls II as a first place club in MLS Next Pro. The team is currently comprised of promising young talent such as Ibrahim Kasule, Rafael Mosquera, Adri Mehmeti and Matthew Dos Santos. The club is one that is constantly in flux due to the needs of the first team but has shown a propensity for rebuilding quickly and with more talented players.
On the first team, Sekagya will most certainly be a lifeline in guiding some of those key developing players into first team starters. Peter Stroud, Daniel Edelman, Omar Valencia Mohammed Sofo and Ronald Donkor are just a few that have already shown their abilities at the top level. Passing along the duties of head coach to Michael Bradley while stepping into a larger role with the main team is one that will certainly get him closer to a larger position as his career progresses.
“When you see the players together, we talk about family,” said Sekagya about his decade of experience with the reserve team. “Mostly not just players but the staff I had behind me, helping me, and also growing up. It is hard for me to talk about it, to know what to say but this is a team that is in my blood. I think Red Bull has given me a lot. I’m still going and this is something you cannot take for granted.”
Sekagya has taken nothing for granted in his career with Red Bull. Starting as a player in the 2013 season, the Ugandan defender made 33 total appearances with the club before transforming into a coach under head coach Jesse Marsch. His work with Red Bulls II started from day one underneath head coach John Wolyniec and eventually took over for Gary Lewis as the team’s head caoch.
Under his helm, Red Bulls II made a seamless transition from USL Championship to MLS Next Pro and hope to have the type of team that can continue on in the mission.
photo from New York Red Bulls