Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke’s contract was a multi-year extension and a monetary “improvement” to show the team’s commitment to the Long Island native, Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh said.
That settled Petke’s immediate future, and the Red Bulls will sort out Thierry Henry’s over the summer.
“This is all about commitment. First and foremost, you all know Mike’s commitment to the club, both as a player and as a technician,’’ Roxburgh said. “He’s dedicated to the club and wanted it to be successful, but he needed some security around him and we tried to provide that with a multi-year contract. We wanted to make sure he was comfortable, and we as a club were comfortable.
“He was passionate as a player and as a coach. He wears his heart on his sleeve. It’s very important. It’s also about development. He only had the one year and it was a successful year. He’s dedicated to improving himself as a coach, and we’re trying to give him the maximum support we can.’’
In short, after he delivered the club’s first trophy — the Supporters’ Shield — in his rookie coaching campaign, the club extended him, then seemingly gave him a raise and some peace of mind.
“It’s an extension and improvement on what he had — it provides more stability, that’s the key point. It’s an improved contract,’’ Roxburgh said. “Our policy is not to discuss details, and that has to remain. But it’s enough to say it’s an advancement on the contract previously, which is good for both the club and for Mike. … It’s more than a one-year contract with an option. That’s all I can say.’’
With Petke’s extension resolving the future of their coaching situation, Roxburgh can spend the summer settling the future of Henry and — if the Red Bulls’ captain opts to retire rather than re-sign — searching for a replacement. Roxburgh said any Designated Player likely would be signed after the World Cup, which Red Bull head of global football Gerard Houllier will attend.
“When it comes to things like DPs, Thierry and his situation, it’s the kind of thing we’ll look at as the season progresses. In terms of DPs, it’ll be after the World Cup,’’ Roxburgh said. “Gerard Houllier will be going to the World Cup to work for FIFA as it turns out. That means he’ll be our man on the ground to be able to not only hear what’s going on but see and look at various people. That’ll help us to have Gerard actively involved in the World Cup.
“We’ll be monitoring. We’ve already got some ideas about that possibility. But there are no guarantees. It’ll have to be the right deal, and the owner would have to be comfortable with what’s involved. Part of that process will be looking at [Henry’s] situation and talking to him as the months progress. Certainly by the summer we’d need to have some idea what’s going to happen, what his feelings are and the club’s feelings are. In the coming few months we’ll start talking about it.’’