Bradley Carnell

Bradley Neil Carnell (born 21 January 1977) is a South African soccer coach and former player who played as a defender. He was most recently the head coach of Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union.

Early career Born in Johannesburg, Carnell attended Parktown Boys' High School in Johannesburg. The old Parktown boy played for Southern Suburbs and Robertsham Callies juniors as a goalkeeper and he was later converted to a defender. He was regularly selected to play at district levels being coached by former Southampton, Hereford United and Cheltenham Town winger and former Wits University manager Terry Paine.

Playing career

Carnell made his professional debut at the age of 16 in 1993 playing for Wits University. While still a student, he scored twice in Wit's 2–0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the 1995 BP Top 8.

He played for Kaizer Chiefs (1997–98), VfB Stuttgart (1998–2003) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (2003–05). His greatest success came at Stuttgart where he helped win the league silver in 2003. He was selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

According to media reports, he was involved in an on-field altercation with a fellow player (goalkeeper Markus Miller) during a German league match in Frankfurt during September 2007.

In July 2009 he moved to F.C. Hansa Rostock. On 13 July 2010, he signed for SuperSport United F.C.

He announced his retirement from soccer on 27 August 2011.

Coaching On 28 March 2017, Carnell was announced as the new assistant coach of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. On 5 September 2020, a day after the firing of Chris Armas, he was named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 regular season.

On 5 January 2022, Carnell was announced as the first head coach of St. Louis City SC of Major League Soccer. In the franchise's first season in MLS, Carnell led the team to a conference-best 56 points, as St. Louis City SC became the first expansion team to win their conference in their inaugural season, as well as setting an expansion-team record with 17 wins ; after the season, Carnell was a finalist for the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award . On July 1, 2024, Carnell was fired by St. Louis City SC amid a disappointing second season.

Carnell was named an assistant coach for Canada men's national soccer team for its September 2024 International Series in the United States, which featured friendlies against Mexico and the United States.

On 2 January 2025, Carnell was named head coach of the Philadelphia Union. Carnell lead the team to a Supporters' Shield crest and was named the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year.

On 27 May 2026, Carnell was relieved of his duties after the Union's league-worst 1-4-10 start.

Managerial statistics

Honours Player VfB Stuttgart UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2000, 2002

Manager Philadelphia Union Supporters' Shield: 2025

Individual MLS Coach of the Year: 2025