With Red Bull undergoing massive front-office upheaval, beleaguered coach Mo Johnston demanded that Red Bull North America exec Marc De Grandpre let him know his fate upon the latter’s expected return from the Austrian home office Friday. Johnston got his answer yesterday, and it was an unexpected reprieve.

After expecting to be fired as recently as yesterday afternoon, last night Johnston – 2-0-4 in the regular-season, dating back to last year’s final three games when he replaced the fired Bob Bradley – was told he’ll stay as coach. De Grandpre will assume the role of managing director.

“Over the past two months, I’ve had an opportunity to really get to know this club and am thrilled to help take it to the next level,” said De Grandpre, who will handle the club’s business and commercial side, while a soon-to-be-announced director of soccer operations will handle soccer issues.

That well could be former Cosmos goalkeeper and Red Bull announcer Shep Messing, with Cosmos teammate Franz Beckenbauer overseeing the entire club after he’s finished organizing this summer’s World Cup in his native Germany.

“Coach, no coach. General manager, no general manager. Every morning when I come here, I must always be ready, but never be surprised,” said forward Youri Djorkaeff. “Until there is a general manager nothing will be clear. Tomorrow if someone from Red Bull is head of the club it will be clear for everybody.”