New York Red Bulls assistant coach Vedad Ibisevic has departed the club, the team announced on Tuesday morning. Second-team head coach Ibrahim Sekagya will fill his role with the first team under manager Sandro Schwarz.
Multiple sources have told amNewYork that the 40-year-old Ibisevic, who hails from Bosnia, wanted to return home with his family. The long-time forward played for notable clubs like French giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga sides Hoffenheim, Stuttgart, and Schalke. He also appeared in the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Bosnia.
Ibisevic made the jump to New York with Schwarz last year after the two worked together on Hertha Berlin’s coaching staff.
“I want to thank Vedad for all his contributions on our coaching staff over the last 18 months,” Swharz said. “He played a big role in our playoff run last year and also the start we have had to this season. We wish him all the success in his future endeavors.”
Sekagya will manage the second team once more on Saturday before taking over as the full-time first-team assistant. He had been with NYRB II for the last decade, beginning as an assistant in its inaugural season in 2015 before being promoted to head coach in 2023.
NYRB II advanced to the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference semifinals in his first full season as manager. This year, he led the team to its best start in franchise history, going 8-2-2 (27 points) in 12 matches.
“We are pleased to add Ibra [Sekagya] to our first team coaching staff on a full-time basis,” Red Bulls head of sport Jochen Schneider. “He has led the development of many great players at NYRB II and has led the team to a great start to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. He has earned this opportunity, and we are grateful to have him as a part of this organization.”
