The New York Red Bulls made it official Tuesday: Ibrahim Sekagya, who has been steering the club’s reserve side in MLS NEXT Pro, is moving up. The former Ugandan international has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach for the Red Bulls’ first team.
“We are pleased to add Ibra Sekagya to our first team coaching staff on a full-time basis,” said Jochen Schneider, the club’s Head of Sport. “He has led the development of many great players at NYRB II and have led the team to a great start to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season.”
“He has earned this opportunity,” Schneider added. “And we are grateful to have him as a part of this organization.”
Sekagya himself reacted with a short post on X, formerly Twitter: “It’s with great pleasure!”
The appointment puts a familiar face back on the Red Bulls’ touchline. Sekagya, 44, made 41 appearances for the club between 2013 and 2014 and was part of the team that won the Supporters’ Shield in 2013. He previously played six seasons with Red Bull Salzburg, where he featured 225 times.
Back home in Uganda, the promotion was met with celebration.
“Congratulations my brother Ibrahim Sekagya for this great milestone,” wrote comedian Herbert Mendo Ssegujja in a Facebook post. KCCA FC, the club where Sekagya launched his senior career, chimed in on Instagram: “Congratulations, Ibrah Ssekajja. One of us.”
Sekagya’s move comes in the midst of a strong season for Red Bulls II. Under his leadership, the team has opened its 2025 campaign with an 8-2-2 record — the best 12-game start in franchise history. The club sits atop the Eastern Conference, having scored a league-best 27 goals.
This Saturday’s match against Chattanooga FC at MSU Soccer Park will be Sekagya’s last at the helm of NYRB II. A new head coach for the reserve team will be named later, the club said.
Sekagya took over as NYRB II head coach in February 2023, after spending eight years as an assistant with the squad. In his first season, he led the team to a 14-8-6 record and a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
During his tenure, the Ugandan coach has overseen the development of several players now contributing at the top level. Midfielder Omar Valencia, currently leading the first team in assists, and forward Mohammed Sofo, who has seven goals this season, both came up through Sekagya’s system.
For now, the Red Bulls are banking on that pipeline — and the man behind it — continuing to deliver.
