The Bafana Bafana midfielder will have another manager after his compatriot was sent packing
South African coach Bradley Carnell has been sacked by MLS club St Louis City FC following a spate of poor results.
St Louis parted ways with Carnell after winning just two of their last 18 games which have left them in 12th place on the Western Conference table, nine points away from the final playoff spot.
The former Kaizer Chiefs defender was appointed in January 2022 before he led the club to the MLS in 2023, as the expansion club, after breaking several records along the way.
Carnell broke several records but second MLS season was not impressive
Their 56 points were one short of LA FC’s total regular season haul for an expansion club set in 2018, but his second season in the top flight has not been impressive, leading to his sacking.
“St Louis CITY SC today announced the departure of the club’s head coach, Bradley Carnell. Technical Director John Hackworth will manage the team on an interim basis as CITY SC begins the search for a new head coach,” the club said via a statement.
Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel explained how difficult it was to part ways with the South African coach, having identified him as the man to lead their quest for promotion following his stint as assistant coach at the New York Red Bulls.
“Given Bradley’s many contributions to the club, this was not an easy decision,” said Pfannenstiel.
‘We believe a coaching change is in the best interest of the club’
“Unfortunately, based on our Year 2 results to date, we believe a coaching change is in the best interest of the club as we regroup and look to improve both our performance and our results,” said Pfannenstiel.”
Carnell oversaw 62 games for the Missouri-based club, winning 22, drawing 15 and losing 25 which was not enough to keep him in the job.
His departure means Bafana Bafana midfielder Njabulo Blom will now work under a new coach as the club looks for Carnell’s replacement.
Blom was lured to St Louis from Kaizer Chiefs by Carnell and having made 12 appearances in all competitions in 2024, he will be hoping that he does not become a peripheral figure under the new manager.
