Mike Petke appointed head coach of @RealSaltLake's @USL team: https://t.co/P173QdVW8c pic.twitter.com/R9AIGebuZp
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 23, 2016
Mike Petke is proof that wins don’t always translate to job security. The man who once led the New York Red Bulls has landed a new gig.
When Mike Petke took over the New York Red Bulls, it was a move of desperation. They were in transition and results were disappointing. They named Petke interim coach, but in 2013 he was made permanent and led the Red Bulls to the Supporter’s Shield. They lost in the opening round.
But with Thierry Henry still on the club along with Bradley Wright-Phillips, they only produced an average 13-10-11 season in 2014. The Red Bulls made a deep run in the
The Red Bulls made a deep run in the postseason, however. They defeated Sporting Kansas City and D.C United en route to the Eastern Conference Finals against New England Revolution. After losing a 2-1 opener at home, they were only able to secure a draw in the second leg. This more than anything was the last straw and his release was not popular by any means.
But after two years of doing television analysis for a few New York Cosmos games and serving as director of New Jersey Youth Soccer Olympic player development, Petke was offered the position of Head Coach of the USL Real Monarchs, the developmental team for MSL team Real Salt Lake.
Petke has had calls to coach other USL teams but saw a good fit with this franchise:
“I’m not the type of person who just jumps into something to have a job,” Petke explained, “Timing is everything, but more importantly, it’s the right fit and opportunity.”
It should be a familiar scenario as he once again takes over a struggling team that has lost more than its won the last two years.
An added incentive also presents itself as he will get to coach against NYRB II, the developmental unit of his former team, who also are the current champion of the USL.
Things truly do come to those who wait.