The New York Red Bulls aren't embarking upon a full-on rebuild, but head coach Gerhard Struber faces plenty of work going into his first full season on the sidelines.
The 44-year-old Austrian was hired to replace now-Toronto FC boss Chris Armas in October and only led RBNY for one game – RBNY's 3-2 defeat to eventual champion Columbus Crew SC in Round One of the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Since then, it's been about collaborating with head of sport Kevin Thelwell on compiling a retooled roster to suit a long-term vision. And speaking with reporters on a Monday video call along with Thelwell, Struber told reporters he's feeling optimistic that RBNY are poised to impart that vision as preseason gets underway.
"I think everyone is ready for an ambitious season, I think we have ambitious goals," Struber, who arrives from English Championship side Barnsley, said. "We have new players that we have to integrate very quick on our team. Also, that we go step-by-step in a good direction about our identity. I think this is the biggest goal for this season for me, that we produce the identity that is in the end very successful with results and also that every single player makes the right development. This is, I think, the big topic in this season."
Some of the new faces include outside back Tom Edwards, midfielder Youba Diarra, winger Cameron Harper and forward Fabio. They were closely identified, and all but Harper are with RBNY on loan from overseas clubs. As they join RBNY mainstays, Struber hopes to employ the high-octane pressing style the Red Bull brand is known for.
"When we speak about our identity, I think many people understand from the Red Bull identity that we speak about high-intensity, we speak about pressing," Struber said. "I think this is also in this season a big goal from us that we have a high intensity and the right pressing. I think it's very important that many clubs in the MLS, they know in this time what is maybe the Red Bull code. And for us it's very, very important that we speak not only about pressing and counter-pressing, we speak also about transitions and also with the right staggering in those transition moments.
"I think we expect in the end we can bring good results and it's also normal when you bring players in the next level that they can bring in all four phases, a standard that is necessary when we speak about trophies or speak about the big goals that we have long-term. This is important."
With a full preseason to mold new and old players alike, Struber said he's confident that RBNY's roster can manifest those principles on the field, all while chasing a 12th straight postseason berth. Struber said he's pleased with the team's fitness levels and receptiveness to his ideas.
"I have big experience with developing a philosophy in a team," he said. "This is not for today or tomorrow, I think we need time for that. But in the end I am very, very hopeful and I have a very good feeling with this team, with my coaching staff. We have everything that we want to bring the boys on this level and we can speak in the next time about trophies.
"Right now I am very happy for preseason to have between six and seven weeks," he added. "I think for us this is very helpful, to have time to bring the philosophy in the team. I think we can remember together the only week that we had for preparation, the boys in the game against Columbus in the playoffs was not easy. But I think this is the past and we're looking forward to create a powerful team, to create a team with the right hunger and a team that is ready to fight for trophies."
