The Union are beginning a new year with a new manager. The club announced the hiring of Bradley Carnell on Thursday, the 47-year-old South African joining the Union for his third head coaching stint in MLS. Carnell replaces Jim Curtin, who was relieved of his duties on Nov. 7 after 10.5 years leading the Union. Carnell is the fourth manager in club history. “I’m honored to be named head coach of the Philadelphia Union, and I would like to thank the Union ownership group and Ernst Tanner for their trust in me,” Carnell said in a team statement. “Philadelphia is an amazing city, built on communities of hardworking and passionate people who truly love their soccer. I am excited for this opportunity to build upon an already solid foundation and aim to help raise the Union organization to the next level that our fans and city can be proud of.” Carnell comes from the Red Bull coaching school, having been an assistant in New York from 2017-21. He took over as the interim head coach for Chris Armas in 2020. After returning to an assistant coaching role with the Red Bulls, St. Louis City hired him as its inaugural head coach in early 2022. With a year to prepare, he led the expansion side to first place in the Western Conference in 2023, with 56 points and a 17-12-5 record. He finished second in MLS Coach of the Year balloting, to former Union assistant coach Pat Noonan. But things ran aground in 2024 in St. Louis. Carnell was fired July 1 as City got off to a 3-7-10 start, sitting 12th in the West. He was replaced for the season by former Union boss John Hackworth, and City remained 12th in the West. After his firing, Carnell spent the rest of 2024 on the staff of former Red Bulls boss Jesse Marsch with the Canadian national team. “Bradley has the attributes we were looking for in a manager and the experience needed as we commit to getting back to our identity as a team,” sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a team statement. “With knowledge of both MLS and international markets, he is tactically astute and aligned with our sporting strategy. His approach emphasizes a high-press style of play while organizing a structured defense. Additionally, he shares the club’s vision for developing players. We are confident he will bring a clear sporting philosophy that elevates the team and delivers a competitive season. We look forward to welcoming him to Philadelphia.” Carnell played for clubs in Germany, including Stuttgart, Borussia Monchengladbach, Karlsruher and Hansa Rostock. He earned 42 caps for South Africa from 1997-2010.