The Red Bulls have named Jeff Agoos Sporting Director. The decision was announced on Monday.
The decision doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Agoos has worked closely with managing director Marc deGrandpre since Bruce Arena’s departure as head coach and, during that time, Agoos made a strong impression on deGrandpre.
“Over the course of his career, Jeff has been a part of five championship teams at the professional level; he undoubtedly knows what it takes to establish a winning culture within a team,” de Grandpre said in a team-issued statement. “Since joining the Red Bulls, he has shown that he can execute our long term vision of becoming a preeminent sports franchise. I am confident that he has the ability to assemble a winning team of driven, disciplined and passionate players that will continually compete for championships.”
“First of all, I would like to thank Marc and Red Bull for giving me the opportunity as the team’s Sporting Director,” Agoos said. “I am excited to continue working for a club with such high aspirations. I look forward to working on the challenges in laying the groundwork for Red Bull New York and moving towards our goal of winning silverware.”
Agoos will work with Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio on player personnel decisions, with both men sharing equal status and deGrandPre serving as the final decision-maker in cases where Osorio and Agoos cannot agree.
I don’t believe the NY has issued a job description of the Sporting Director but I believe it will be equivalent or similar to Technical Director position and including working closely with the coaching staff in five key areas:
1. identifying and signing players;
2. developing and executing draft strategy;
3. creating closer ties to foreign club teams including leveraging Salzburg relationship;
4. managing all player transactions; and
5. overseeing youth development director efforts
Again, this is my guess and doesn’t reflect anything New York has issued.
I’d love an explanation of the role of a “sporting director”, as opposed to the head coach or a “technical director”. What does a sporting director do? How about a technical director? Is sporting director like a general manager in other US sports? I’ve never been real clear about this one…
Today in the UAE…
Internazionale (Italy) 1 x 2 Internacional (Brazil)
Internacional scoops the millionaire tournament prize after beating Stuttgart and Internazionale.
Nilmar scored the game winner on a stunning bicycle kick.
As long as he’s not the next Alexi Lalas…
It’s funny that a man who has no soccer background at all will be the one to break any disagreement between two men who have lived all their lives with the sport at pretty high levels. But, that’s the way it is with most owners, isn’t it? Look at Liverpool.
Good luck Jeff! We are behind you 110%! Now with JCO just find the NYRBs a central attacking mid, left mid, center back, left back and another goalkeeper. 🙂