HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls announced on Monday the club had appointed 2020 USL Championship co-Coach of the Year Troy Lesesne as its new Head Coach, replacing the departing Gerhard Struber following a slow start to the 2023 campaign.

Lesesne steps into the head coaching position at the club having joined the Red Bulls coaching staff prior to the 2022 campaign after his success in the first three seasons of New Mexico United’s history. Appointed for New Mexico’s inaugural campaign in 2019, Lesesne led the side to the postseason in its first campaign and also on a historic run to the Quarterfinals of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as United defeated the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas away from home before being eliminated by Minnesota United FC.

In 2020, Lesesne shared the Championship’s Coach of the Year award with Reno 1868 FC’s Ian Russell as he led New Mexico to a second consecutive postseason berth despite United playing its full regular season schedule away from home due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions within New Mexico. The side advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals, upsetting San Antonio FC, before falling in a penalty shootout against El Paso Locomotive FC.

“Troy is an impressive, knowledgeable coach, who has worked incredibly well with our players for the last year and half,” said Red Bulls  Head of Sport Jochen Schneider. “We are fortunate to have him lead our team forward.”

Lesesne had previously served as an assistant coach in the USL Championship at both the Charleston Battery – for whom he had also competed during his playing career – and the Charlotte Independence before being hired by New Mexico.