Red Bulls import Emil Forsberg as offseason overhaul begins

The 2024 Red Bulls are going to look a lot different than the 2023 version, with a new coach, new sporting director and new star.

Emil Forsberg is reportedly coming to New York from sister club RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, but there will be different people in charge if/when he arrives next season.

On Tuesday the Red Bulls opted not to renew the contract of head coach Troy Lesesne, and parted ways with longtime sporting director Denis Hamlett.

Despite spending seven seasons in the role and making the playoffs in every one, they were postseason disappointments and he was less than popular with the fan base.

Since the departure of Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, the Red Bulls have moved away from being the big-spending, star-chasing franchise into one focused on youth development and pressing that fits into the overall Red Bull global scheme.

They’ve leaned into that almost exclusively for the past several years, which makes the move for the 32-year-old Forsberg noteworthy.

The news was initially reported Monday by Germany’s leading tabloid Bild, and Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano followed up Tuesday by stating that the midfielder had verbally agreed to terms on a four-year deal.

Forsberg has been with RB Leipzig since 2014, winning the DFB-Pokal twice, scoring 69 goals and handing out 67 assists in 318 appearances for the UEFA Champions League regulars.

He had six goals and four assists in 30 games last season, scoring once in nine appearances so far this year.

The midfielder was also a fixture for Sweden, with 20 goals in 84 matches and playing in the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2016 and 2020.

Forsberg would almost certainly be a Designated Player spot, filling the Red Bulls’ last open one with midfielder Luquinhas and striker Dante Vanzeir.

If Lewis Morgan returns to health next season, the attack should be much improved.