Sekagya appointed head coach of New York Red Bulls

Former Uganda Cranes captain, Ibra Sekagya during a training session at Red Bulls II | NYR II Image

USA Sekagya appointed head coach of New York Red Bulls

Fred Mwambu 06:35 - 07.02.2023

Sekagya assumes the head coach role after spending eight seasons as an assistant of the reserve team for the Major League Soccer (MLS) giants New York Red Bulls that will be taking part in the MLS Next Pro.

Former KCCA FC and Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya has been appoinyed the head coach of Red Bull New York II, the club has announced.

Sekagya assumes the head coach role after spending eight seasons as an assistant of the reserve team for the Major League Soccer (MLS) giants New York Red Bulls that will be taking part in the MLS Next Pro.

“Ibrahim [Sekagya] has played a crucial role in the development of Red Bulls II in addition to his success as a player with the main club,” the club's Sporting Director Denis Hamlett said of the Uganda shortly after the appointment.

“We know he will continue his hard work and dedication to improve in every facet of the club," Hamlett added. 

Sekagya announced his retirement from playing for the senior team in 2015 and immediately joined the reserve side.

He worked under coaches John Wolyniec (2015-2021) and later Gary Lewis last year before the latter was sacked as the Ugandan took over the job on interim basis managing the team in the United Soccer League for the final 17 matches of last season.

The club announced that with Sekagya part of the staff, the Red Bulls II has seen 21 players promoted to the senior team. 

Two of his products, Tyler Adams and Aaron Long, were part of the United States Men’s National Team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Qatar.

“I am thrilled to continue my journey with the New York Red Bulls organization and lead New York Red Bulls II to success,” Sekagya said after his appointment.

He added: “I cannot wait to get this season started and show all of the work that has been done this winter to put a well-balanced squad on the pitch.”

Sekagya left Uganda in 2001 to Join Athletico Rafael in Argentina's second division. He later on moved to Ferro Caril Oeste before signing for the country's giants Arsenal de Serandi.

He left South America in 2007 to join Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. While there he helped win three Austrian Football Bundesliga titles over a four-year span from 2008 to 2012 and was also part of the team that won the 2012 Austrian Cup. 

He joined the New York Red Bulls in July of 2013 and spent two seasons with the club. Sekagya was part of the 2013 Red Bulls team that clinched the club’s first-ever Supporters’ Shield. 

During his eight seasons with the club, Red Bulls II won 98 matches, qualified for the postseason five times, and won both the 2016 USL Cup and Regular Season Title.

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