Kevin Thelwell on Bradley Carnell: “I don’t want to put any pressure on him, but he’s a candidate for the role.” (Photo courtesy of the Red Bulls)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Kevin Thelwell isn’t about to count out Red Bulls interim head coach Bradley Carnell as possibly taking over the job permanently.
“For sure, he’s got a shot,” the Red Bulls head of sport said at the team’s pregame show on MSG. “I don’t want to put any pressure on him, but he’s a candidate for the role.”
A native South African and a former member of the country’s national team, Carnell was named interim coach by Thelwell Saturday after the latter fired head coach Chris Armas Friday.
He made his debut as Red Bulls coach for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Union at Red Bull Arena.
Carnell, who was an assistant coach under Armas, spoke with the former U.S. international midfielder Friday after training.
“It was pretty emotional,” Carnell said. “He said, ‘Brad, you’ve got to run with it. I’m your No. 1 fan now.’ It was a relief. It gave me confidence.”
The team’s reaction to Armas getting the axe?
“We’re all shocked,” Carnell said. “We’re pretty beat up. If it was easy, everybody would be doing this job. … We’re all crushed. The dust settles and we move on.”
