Jesse Marsch probably felt it was the right time to leave the Red Bulls. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

The Red Bulls bid farewell to Jesse Marsch, who reportedly is heading to Red Bull Leipzig, a sister club in the Red Bull organization.

Marsch is in advanced negotiations with the Bundesliga club, Kristian Dyer reported in The Athletic Thursday.

Red Bulls assistant coach Chris Armas was named as Marsch’s successor Friday.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to thank Jesse for what he helped build here over the last few years,” Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpre said. “Chris has emerged as a leader in his own right, and embodies our core values on and off the field. We are excited for him to take this opportunity and know he will perfectly represent our club.”

Added sporting director Denis Hamlett: “We are fully supportive of Jesse and his decision to pursue a new opportunity. Jesse played a large role in establishing our club identity, but the culture here is the result of the dedication and hard work of many. ”

Marsch became the second New York MLS coach to leave his team within a month. Patrick Vieira departed New York City FC to become the Nice head coach in French Ligue 1 June 10. Manchester City assistant coach Domenec Torrent was named as Vieira’s successor.

The exact nature of the 44-year-old Marsch’s status with the Bundesliga club is not exactly known, The Athletic reported. He could become Leipzig’s interim head coach or even an assistant under Red Bull sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who would be serving as an interim head coach of the club

Marsch guided the Red Bulls into second place in the Eastern Conference with a 10-4-2 mark and 32 points, five points behind Atlanta United FC (11-4-4, 37) as New York has three games in hand.

Since joining the Red Bulls under controversial circumstances in 2015 — Marsch replaced the popular Mike Petke, who was fired — he directed the New Jersey side to a 58-35-25 mark. Using a pressing defense, the Red Bulls captured the Supporters Shield in 2015 and took first place in the Eastern Conference in 2016. New York finished sixth to reach the MLS Cup playoffs last season.

The Red Bulls visit NYCFC in a Hudson River Derby match at Yankee Stadium Sunday at 7 p.m.

You might be interested in this story:

NEW BOSS: Armas replaces Marsch as Red Bulls head coach

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.