The Red Bulls’ annual offseason overhaul produced a litany of questions, from how to replace MLS’ second-leading scorer to how will feisty French captain Thierry Henry react to new coach Mike Petke, an inexperienced 37-year-old who survived a protracted coaching search and inherited his first head coaching gig.
But with the Red Bulls opening the season March 3 at Portland and playing their home opener two weeks later vs. rival DC, Petke insists Henry and his other high-priced stars like Tim Cahill and newcomer Juninho have bought it. He says that same fire that sometime boils over in Henry will make his job easier, not harder.
“I know all the players are on board 100%, because when I was asked to take the job I said one thing I need to make sure is every player is on board, every person in the front office is on board and every person in Austria is on board, right up to our owner Mr. Mateschitz, because its not going to work otherwise,’’ said Petke. “I know the perception many people have of Thierry, and I can understand why.
“(But) that’s a player you want; he demands excellence. Could he go overboard sometimes? I look at him like a Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky; how do you think he got to the level he’s at? If I have him working after practice every day and I a rookie’s walking off the field you can grab him by the neck and say that guy who’s accomplished everything is doing the extra work: Where the hell are you going?’’
After a messy coaching search that saw one candidate agree to terms only to have the deal fall apart, the Red Bulls tabbed Petke – their all-time leader in games played – in hopes he can be their Pep Guardiola. Henry – who won a Champions League under the real Guardiola in Barcelona – has been effusive in his praise since.
“(Petke) is about fire, passion (for the team). He’s the same way he was as a player, committed, passionate about the club. I think we’re all in the same situation, waiting for the league to start. Hopefully this year we won’t be meeting on Thursday saying this is a must-win game right until the end of the season. Hopefully we can do better,’’ said Henry. “We’re not far from doing well.’’
Henry praised newcomers Fabian Espindola and Juninho, and said they’ll all have to pick up the slack for Kenny Cooper. The MLS Golden Boot runnerup poured in a career-high 18 goals last season, but was traded because he would’ve counted $370,000 for the salary cap-strapped Red Bulls.
“To replace 18 goals we’re going to have to all share that. Kenny was a hell of a goalscorer. Kenny was (traded) for the salary cap; that’s the only reason he left, it wasn’t for football reasons. It is annoying, because you knew,’’ said Henry. “The ball landed near him you knew he was going to put the ball in. We’re going to have to do it without him.’’
Juninho, the 38-year-old Brazilian dead-ball artist, said he was offered a two-year contract but signed for just one with an option for a second.