Bradley Carnell’s 3 key objectives as new Philadelphia Union coach
Following his appointment as new head coach of MLS side Philadelphia Union, Bradley Carnell has revealed his three key objectives. The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana defender returns to the dugout after 185 days [six months] without a job.
The 47-year-old was at the helm of St. Louis City for two years. He previously led the Red Bull New York. He takes over from longtime manager Jim Curtin.
“This place has no doubt a great foundation that’s been laid over the last 10-plus years,” Carnell told journalists on Thursday. “It’s an exciting project, a wonderful project to be a part of, a wonderful team to be a part of. And I’m looking forward to getting back to the ways that Ernst [sporting director Ernst Tanner] and the club’s development and the club’s philosophy – getting back to the ways that define us.”
Here are the three key objectives outlined by the former South Africa international.
IMPARTING AN IDENTITY AT THE PHILADELPHIA UNION
His new club is coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign. They failed to qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017, finishing 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 37 points. They won nine, lost 15 times and drew 10. The Johannesburg-born coach vowed to help recapture the identity that previously made them succeed. He aims to instil a playing style defined as “something different, edgy, and difficult to play against.”
“This is part of me: What you see is what you get,” he said. “It’s in my DNA as a player and coach, and I’ve had a history of doing that at all the places I’ve been, whether as a player or a coach.”
Interestingly, when he guided Red Bull New York as interim coach in 2020, they set the MLS record for most regular-season wins by a first-year club [17].
CARNELL WANTS TO DEVELOPING YOUNG TALENT
His track record with young players is well-documented, particularly in the MLS. He joins a club that is one of the league’s best developers of homegrown talent. The union has a lengthy list of academy products that have broken through for the club’s first team.
15-year-old prodigy Cavan Sullivan became the youngest debutant in league history last season at 14 years, 293 days.
“One of the club’s core philosophies is development,” Carnell said. “And I think if you’ve looked at my history over the last two-and-a-half years or three years as a coach, giving debuts and homegrowns – this is me to a core. This is my DNA in terms of development.
“…I’m all for that,” he added. “I’m excited about Cavan’s development as well as developing some other youngsters here in camp.”
REGAINING STATUS IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE
Carnell’s ultimate objective is to restore the Union’s status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse after a disappointing campaign. Tanner said they would enter the market to bring in reinforcements.
“I can understand that there is a lot of pessimism in our fanbase regarding the last season, maybe the last one-and-a-half seasons,” Tanner said. “And that was the reason why we changed [coaches]. I can promise that we will add some players in addition to the one we did already and utilise all the mechanisms and possibilities the league gives us according to our new rules.
“But we also trust in what we have. That’s not only the players we’re bringing up from the second team. I think we have a ways better roster and we can get ways more out of it than we showed in the last season. It might take a little bit, but you can be assured that from the 13th or 14th of January when we are the first time on the pitch, we will get back to work and work as hard as possible to make that happen.”
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