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Source: Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke fired by team – Metro US

Source: Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke fired by team

The only man to ever deliver the New York Red Bulls a trophy will not have the opportunity to do that in 2015. Metro New York has learned that head coach Mike Petke was fired on Tuesday.

Petke, who in two years as head coach of the club delivered the Supporters Shield, in 2013, and took the team to within a game of the MLS Cup this past season, was relieved of his duties on Tuesday. A team source tells Metro New York that new sporting director Ali Curtis was the one who relieved Petke of his duties after meeting with the head coach at Red Bull Arena.

As both a player and a head coach for this franchise, Petke served the club faithfully. He made 169 appearances during two stints with the team, then transitioned to a coaching role in 2011, following his retirement. He became a fan favorite in 1998 when as a rookie, the native of Long Island showed ferocity on the pitch along with bleach-blonde dyed hair.

He quickly developed into a starter and a savvy defender and would often receive the largest ovation from the crowd when the team was announced at Red Bull Arena on game-day.

His Supporters Shield winning side in 2013 represents the first ever piece of hardware in franchise history.