Official release from the club:
MARC DE GRANDPRE NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RED BULL NEW YORK
Organizational Restructuring Plans Unveiled; Johnston to Remain as Head
Coach
SECAUCUS, NJ (Thursday, April 20, 2006) - Red Bull New York announced today that Marc De Grandpre will assume the role of Managing Director of Red Bull New York effective immediately. De Grandpre replaces Alexi Lalas who recently resigned from his position with the club for the President and General Manager post with the L.A. Galaxy.
De Grandpre has been with Red Bull North America for more than seven years as the Director of Field Marketing where he oversaw all marketing activities for the company's East region. He played an instrumental role in the successful acquisition and re-branding of the New York Red Bulls after the team was purchased in March and will work closely with FC Red Bull Salzburg on collaborative activities planned for the future.
"Over the past two months, I've had an opportunity to really get to know this club and am thrilled to help take it to the next level," said De Grandpre.
The new structure for the organization is two-pronged: De Grandpre will run all of the business and commercial aspects of the team, and a soon-to-be-announced Director of Soccer Operations will be responsible for all coaches, players, travel, and training related aspects.
Mo Johnston will stay in place as the head coach and will report to De Grandpre, until the Director of Soccer Operations is named, at which point Johnston will report to the Director of Soccer Operations.