The Red Bulls signed assistant coach Richie Williams to a contract extension.
Williams has twice served as interim for the team – kind of like their Herb Williams, but was a better player. And even though many of their fans wanted him to get the head coaching job that went to Swede Hans Backe – who is off to a solid start, and is 1-0 after Saturday’s win over Chicago – this move should prove popular, considering Williams’ knowledge on MLS.
“Richie has done a tremendous job during his time here and we are thrilled that he continues to be a very important member of our coaching staff,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “He is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in this country and we look forward to his contributions as we aim to reach the playoffs.”
Williams is in his fifth year with the Red Bulls as an assistant coach. He was an assistant under Mo Johnston during the beginning of the 2006 season before Johnston was relieved of his head coaching duties on June 27. Williams served as the club’s interim head coach for eight regular season games from June 27 through Aug. 12. During his tenure as interim head coach, Williams’ squad went 4-3-2 in all competitions and he helped lead the Red Bulls on a three-game winning streak in July 2006.
“Richie has been an invaluable resource for the club since I joined the club in January,” said Backe. “His ability to assess players both at the MLS and college level has been vital to our early success this season.”
Last season, Williams also took charge as interim head coach for the second time after Juan Carlos Osorio resigned on Aug. 21. At the reins for the rest of the year, Williams compiled a 3-3-2 record. This season marks Williams’ seventh year with the New York organization, having played for the club as a midfielder in 2001 and 2003.
Williams, a Middletown, NJ native, played eight years in Major League Soccer, spending six of those seasons in the nation’s capital playing for D.C. United (1996-2000, 2002) and two with New York (2001, 2003). He was a member of D.C. United’s MLS Cup championship teams in 1996, 1997 and 1999. In addition to his club play, Williams earned 17 caps with the U.S. National Team, and had stints with the Under-23 and Under-20 National Teams. At the University of Virginia he was a part of two NCAA National Championship teams in 1989 and 1991 while playing for coach Bruce Arena. Williams spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
