SA coach Bradley Carnell has spoken for the first time after signing a contract extension with Major League Soccer [MLS] outfit St Louis City.
The former Bafana Bafana defender, Carnell, joined City in January 2022 and has done a phenomenal job with the side in the two years that he has been at the helm.
Interestingly, the 47-year-old mentor was named the 2023 Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Finalist in CITY SC’s inaugural season.
In his first season, Carnell worked hand-to-hand with coach John Hackworth and guided City to a 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference title.
WHAT BRADLEY CARNELL SAID AFTER SIGNING NEW CONTRACT
“I want to say thank you to Lutz, Diego, Carolyn, and the ownership group for believing in me to help lead this project and continue from a successful Year 1,” said Carnell upon signing his contract extension.
“I am excited to continue working with the STL group. My family and I love the St. Louis area and can’t wait to build on top of the strong foundation that was built.”
Meanwhile, the club’s president and general manager, Diego Gigliani, expressed his gratitude after Carnell penned his new deal with the club ahead of the new season.
“We’re thrilled to be able to extend Bradley’s contract and keep him and his family here with us in St. Louis,” stated Diego Gigliani.
“His leadership helped us achieve record-breaking results on the pitch and quickly established CITY SC as a club serious about building a winning tradition for our fans. We look forward to our future with Bradley leading the squad.”
ST LOUIS CITY SPORTING DIRECTOR PRAISES BRADLEY CARNELL
The club’s sporting director, Lutz Pfannenstiel, was full of praise for Carnell, citing how the SA coach has turned things around at the team.
“During his first full season as a head coach, Bradley quickly became one of the top coaches in the league,” added Pfannenstiel.
“When we brought Bradley in to be CITY SC’s first-ever coach, we knew his work ethic and unique blend of MLS and international experience would help us be competitive. But I can safely say no one predicted CITY SC to finish the regular season as the best team in the Western Conference.
“When it came to developing a team of players, many of whom had never played together before, to execute a very challenging playing philosophy and style, Bradley overdelivered every step of the way.”
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