Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union's Sporting Director Ernst Tanner officially introduced Bradley Carnell as the franchise's fourth head coach during a press conference on Thursday. The event was streamed on PhiladelphiaUnion.com.

Carnell, aged 47, brings a decade of professional coaching experience, with eight years in Major League Soccer (MLS). He recently managed St. Louis CITY SC for two seasons after being appointed in January 2022. During his tenure, the team recorded a 22-15-25 record across 62 regular-season matches. In 2023, St. Louis led the Western Conference and ranked third in the league with 62 goals and a plus-17 goal differential.

Before his time at St. Louis, Carnell worked as an assistant manager and interim head coach with the New York Red Bulls from March 2017 to January 2022. As interim head coach from September to November 2020, he achieved a record of 6-3-5 over 14 matches, leading New York to their eleventh consecutive postseason appearance. Additionally, as an assistant manager, he contributed to the Red Bulls securing the 2018 Supporters’ Shield.

Carnell began his coaching career at the University of Johannesburg men's team from 2012 to 2015 before taking roles as an assistant manager at Orlando Pirates (2016-17) and Free State Stars (2015-16) in South Africa.

As a former defender, Carnell played professionally for eighteen years starting at age sixteen with Wits University in South Africa. He later played for VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany’s Bundesliga and spent four seasons with Karlsruher SC and Hansa Rostock in Germany’s Bundesliga II before concluding his playing career with Supersport United in South Africa.

Internationally, Carnell earned forty-two caps for South Africa between 1997 and 2010. His international appearances include three starts in the FIFA World Cup held in Korea/Japan in 2002 and four starts during that year's African Cup of Nations (AFCON).