The Red Bulls had always planned for Jochen Schneider to pass the baton as head of sport to Julian de Guzman, but the club hadn’t planned for it to come until after the 2026 season.

That was until Schneider’s wife, Annabella, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in mid-September and expedited plans by the Red Bulls to elevate de Guzman to the role, it was revealed during a news conference at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Tuesday.

The club had announced on Monday that Schneider was leaving his post, along with word that head coach Sandro Schwarz would not be back.

Red Bulls Head of Sport Jochen Schneider addresses the media during a press conference at Red Bull Arena on Feb. 2, 2024 in Harrison, N.J. Getty Images

“There’s only one solution in what to do in a situation like this, and that’s

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