Brad Friedel will coach his first professional soccer team. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Brad Friedel has taken over the reins of the New England Revolution.
The Revs Thursday named the former U.S. international goalkeeper its new head coach, becoming the team’s seventh coach to man the position in the team’s 22-year history.
The 46-year-old Friedel will assume coaching duties immediately. He replaced Jay Heaps, who was fired in September.
This will be Friedel’s first pro head coaching job.
“Brad has been a leader throughout his illustrious career and is regarded as one of the most successful players in U.S. history with experiences spanning multiple continents, leagues, and levels of competition,” Revolution investor/operators Robert and Jonathan Kraft said in a statement. “We believe his playing and coaching experiences along with his commitment to compete at the highest level will allow him to be very successful in our league. His knowledge of the game, passion for winning, and experience working with players whose talents range from aspiring young players to the game’s most successful professionals will be great assets for the Revolution.”
Friedel most recently coached the U.S. Under-19 national team.
“My staff and I are delighted and honored to have been hired by the New England Revolution,” he said in a statement. “I can guarantee that we, the staff and players, will give 100 percent commitment to the club and our fans while looking forward to all the challenges ahead. We can’t wait to get started right away building this club for the 2018 season.”
A native of Lakewood, Ohio, Friedel enjoyed a playing career that spanned 22 years. He performed with Columbus Crew SC and with Galatasaray in Turkey, and Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in England.
He made 82 international appearances and played in two World Cups (1998 and 2002), standing out in the latter as the U.S. reached the quarterfinals.
Friedel also helped the U.S. U-20 team win the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship as an assistant coach under Tab Ramos. He holds a UEFA “Pro” coaching license, the organization’s highest certification available, and began accruing coaching experience during his final years as a player by assisting at all levels of Tottenham’s Academy and serving as an assistant with various U.S. youth national teams.
“While Brad’s professional playing pedigree speaks for itself, it is his competitive character and commitment to winning that make me confident his incredible career as a player will translate to success here in New England,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said in a press release. “He demands the best out of himself and his players and has a strong presence both in the locker room and on the sidelines, which is why we believe he is the best choice to lead the Revolution.”
The Revs and Friedel have hired two new assistant coaches to the club’s technical staff: Mike Lapper and Marcelo Neveleff. Assistant coaches Tom Soehn, Carlos Llamosa, a former Cosmos assistant coach, and head of fitness Aidan Byrne will not return to the club next year.
Friedel will be introduced to the media in a press conference, streamed live on Revolutionsoccer.net, with Revolution president Brian Bilello and Burns in the Gillette Stadium media workroom on Monday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. ET.
