(Harrison) German Sandro Schwarz became the 20th head coach of the New York Red Bulls in 29 seasons in Major League Soccer on Thursday, eight months after he was fired by Hertha Berlin.

Schwarz already managed Dynamo Moscow, where he remained after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Unlike him, his German colleagues Markus Gisdol (Lokomotiv Moscow) and Daniel Farke (FK Krasnodar) have chosen to leave their respective Russian clubs and return home.

Schwarz, who is 45, will succeed Troy Lesesne, who himself replaced Gerhard Struber at the helm of the Red Bulls on May 8 before being fired at the end of the last campaign.

The Red Bulls entered the MLS playoffs after finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11 wins, 10 draws and 13 losses. They then ousted Charlotte FC in the first round, before losing to Cincinnati FC.