The Red Bulls fired assistant coaches Richie Williams and Des McAleenan today.
“As an organization, we decided to go a different direction with our coaching staff,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “We want to thank Richie and Des for their contributions to our franchise and wish them good luck in their future endeavors.”
A league source said “there were repeated violations of team rules involved.” For their part, the Red Bulls declined comment, and said head coach Hans Backe was unavailable and would have no statement tonight.
Williams served as an interim coach on several occasions for the Red Bulls, going 4-3-2 from June 27 through Aug. 2006 as Mo Johnston’s replacement, and then turning one of the worst teams in MLS history around to a 3-3-2 mark down the stretch in 2009 after Juan Carlos “quit” on Aug. 21.
After being passed over for Backe he not only stayed on to help the latter adjust to the league but took his name out of contention for the D.C. United gig.
McAleenan is regarded as arguably the best goalkeeper coach in the league. He was in his 11th season as goalkeeper coach, and has trained four U.S. National Team keepers in present U.S. starter Tim Howard, Tony Meola, Jonny Walker and Zach Wells. He also helped Jon Conway finish first and fourth in MLS in goals-against-average, and Bouna Coundul harness his raw athletic ability.