Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union has appointed Bradley Carnell as the club's fourth head coach. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Subaru Park, where Carnell was introduced alongside Sporting Director Ernst Tanner.

Tanner expressed confidence in Carnell's ability to lead the team. "We were very convinced, when we were starting the discussions, about his ability to bring us back on track. Back to a winning team and making the most out of our resources. I'm really convinced that we have the right person sitting in this room," Tanner stated.

Carnell described his new role as "the perfect fit" and praised the foundation laid by the club over the past decade. "This place is, no doubt, has a great foundation that's been laid over the last 10 plus years. It's an exciting project. It's a wonderful project to be part of. A wonderful team to be part of," he said.

The selection process for a new head coach involved nearly 100 applicants, with Carnell emerging as a top candidate due to his alignment with the club's playing style and methodology. He brings eight years of Major League Soccer coaching experience, having previously worked with New York Red Bulls and St. Louis CITY SC.

While Carnell did not face Philadelphia Union during his time in Missouri, he is familiar with Philadelphia's sports culture. "There's something special about when you speak about the major leagues in Philadelphia... there's always an edge that each team plays with," he remarked.

Carnell emphasized his commitment to development within the team, aligning with one of Philadelphia Union’s foundational philosophies. He has a history of promoting young talent and believes even seasoned professionals can continue to grow under his guidance.

"We needed a strong communicator with young people that showed the right abilities to work with them," Tanner commented on Carnell's appointment. "That's what Bradley did already."

The team's preparations for the 2025 season will commence shortly in Marbella, Spain, followed by preseason activities in Clearwater, Florida. Carnell will make his debut as head coach on February 22nd against Orlando City SC and will oversee his first home game at Subaru Park on March 1st against FC Cincinnati.