After five and a half years with 156 appearances for the New York Red Bulls, Daniel Royer’s time at the top MLS club ends.
As the Red Bulls announced on Wednesday, the team eliminated in the first round of play-offs does not take the option of a contract extension, the Styrian can look for a new club.
The club did not make the decision to part with Royer easy, Red Bulls coach Gerhard Struber assures LAOLA1.
“The club has decided that we – as is customary in the Red Bull world – take this young path. The club has made the decision to give the young players a chance,” said the Salzburg native.
Royer als “Oldie” im Team
At 31 years old, Royer was the oldest player in the squad, while substitute goalie Ryan Meara is also 31 years old, but a few months younger than the former ÖFB national player. In the past season, Royer had injury concerns, and the New Yorkers’ style of play no longer ideally matches the Styrian.
“That has to do with the general profile of how dynamically we win balls, how dynamic we try to be when switching,” says Struber. Over the past few months, the Salzburg man has always emphasized how important Royer is for him and the club, but the former WAC coach supports the decision, even if it hurts him personally.
“I support that too, that is clear. It is a decision that the club and I made together. It was not easy for us because I have grown dear to Danny, especially this year,” said Struber.
“He’s not just a normal football player, he’s much more”
The 44-year-old explicitly emphasizes the importance of the Schladminger for the Red Bulls. “Danny was a player who met this club with unbelievable love, who has this club and the fans in his heart at the same time. It’s an emotional structure where you can’t say that the player says goodbye. because Daniel Royer and the club are very closely connected and have celebrated many successes “.
In 2018, Royer and the Red Bulls won the Supporters’ Shield for the best team of the regular season. In the same year, the team from Harrison, New Jersey reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. With the Red Bulls, the Styrian made it into the MLS Cup playoffs every season. In 2019, the ex-Austrian was named MVP within the team.
But Struber is especially enthusiastic about the person Daniel Royer. “Danny was an incredibly important support for me, even in times when things weren’t going so well for us,” explains Kuchler. Royer was an important “opinion leader” who kept the mood in the team high.
“I am very grateful to him that he had foresight, also outside of the box. That simply distinguishes him, that he is not just a normal football player, but much more,” explains Struber, who sees the 31-year-old as a potential coach .
“He has leadership competence, which also suggests that he might go into coaching after his playing career,” speculates Struber.
“I can only say thank you very much for the cooperation, for the solidarity that we have had that year. Of course, I wish him the very best.”
“It would be stupid if we didn’t take an option”
The collaboration between Struber and Salzburg loaner Carlos Coronel, however, continues. The Brazilian, who only conceded 34 goals in 35 games last season, 13 times without conceding, will not return to the city of Mozart.
The Red Bulls officially announced on Wednesday that they would take a purchase option anchored in the loan agreement, which Struber announced in the LAOLA1 interview in mid-October.
“Carlos has developed fantastically this year, has given the team really good results and given stability in difficult phases,” says Struber, who speaks of one of the most interesting goalkeepers in the MLS in connection with Coronel.
“That’s why it was very clear and the logical step for us to take the option. It is a real asset for us. We would be stupid if we didn’t take this option that we negotiated at the time.”
Coronel “Average Market Amount”
The Red Bulls coach does not want to say anything about the change modalities, the parties have agreed not to disclose, Struber only reveals this much: “It’s a fair story between the clubs and a normal market amount.”
Coronel came to Mozart’s city from Red Bull Brasil in 2015. The now 24-year-old played 67 games for FC Liefering, while the Brazilian was only able to record 11 appearances for the Red Bull Salzburg fighting team.
Salzburg awarded Coronel to the MLS in 2019: In the first half of the year, the goalie played four games for Philadelphia Union, the team that threw the Red Bulls out of the playoffs this year.
For everything you’ve done for this club… Thank You, Danny Royer
#️⃣7️⃣7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/5dDZj6jQCg
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) December 1, 2021
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