Klopp is a good mentor

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Ibrahim Sekagya is Uganda’s most accomplished and celebrated footballer. From leading Austria’s league giants Red Bulls Salzburg to a league and cup double, deputising Thierry Henry and being part of New York Red Bulls Shield-winning team, to transitioning into management and leading NYRB II to the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference semifinals, Sekagya has done it all.

In this exclusive interview with Vision Sports’ Head of Sports Fred Kaweesi, the former Cranes captain and current New York Red Bulls First Team assistant coach shares his thoughts on a wide range of issues at New York Red Bulls. From developing USA’s national team captain to working under celebrated football manager Jurgen Klopp.

Former Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya interacting with Vision Sports’ Head of Sports Fred Kaweesi

Question: How has the journey been for you since you were promoted to a full-time First Team Assistant Coach for the New York Red Bulls?

Answer: The journey has been good. While I was the Head coach for New York Red Bulls II, I also served as an assistant coach with the first team. So, I have already been with the team. I am only moving up full-time with the first team. Not much will change. I have enjoyed the entire experience since I started working with the first team.

Question: How did you feel when management communicated your promotion?

Answer: It was something that you don’t take for granted. It was an achievement, a big achievement for me. When you are promoted, it means you are doing a good job. It’s one of my biggest achievements. I am excited to work with our Head Coach Sandro Schwarz. We feel like a family here. That’s the Red Bulls spirit, promoting its staff.

Ibrahim Sekagya training a young player during a training session. (Credit: New York Red Bulls)

Question: So, how is your normal day like?

Answer: I wake up at 5:30am, pray and prepare my kids for the day. I then get to office at 6.30am. We have daily planning meetings. If we plan to start training at 10am, the meetings are held at 9am. This meeting helps us plan our day’s programme.

Question: You have been involved with the club since you signed as a player in 2013. That’s 12 years. This club must be so special to you?

Answer: Yes, it is. This organisation is a family. They just don’t say it, you see it every day, the club acts that way, and you feel it. I have noticed this through my journey with Red Bulls, from my time with Red Bulls Salzburg to New York Red Bulls. It feels very special.

Question: Prior to your appointment, you were the New York Red Bulls II Head Coach since February 6, 2023. How did your time there prepare you for the First Team appointment?

Answer: My time with Red Bulls II prepared me well enough. The things I did with the second team are the things we do with the first team. Remember, I was working with both teams. So, this was the right time for me to move. The time was now.  Of course, when I was told about the promotion, I was excited. It was a big step for me.

Question: During your promotion, the club praised you for developing many great players at NYRB II and leading the team to a great start to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. How much work is involved in getting this right?

Answer: There is a lot of work we do with the young players. I feel proud seeing young players develop into stars. Seeing some of them move to clubs in Europe satisfies me. One of them is Tyler Adams. I developed him as a young player and saw him become the player he is at the moment. He is the current captain of the USA national football team. That makes me very proud.

Question: At Red Bulls, you work with players from different cultural backgrounds (South America, North America, Africa and Europe). I am aware that you speak about three international languages: English, Spanish, and German. Does this make your tactical communication with the players much easier?

Answer: Yes, it does. In the modern game, it’s so important to know a number of languages. It helps the coach communicate the right information to the players. Naturally, a player feels more comfortable and confident to perform if he understands his coach. I personally experienced this as a player. A manager must understand his players to be able to get the best out of them.

Question: What would you say has been your best moment at New York Red Bulls?

Answer: As a player, winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2013. This marked the first major trophy in the institution’s history. As a coach, winning the USL Regular Season Championship with New York Red Bulls II in 2016, which is the equivalent to the Supporters’ Shield in MLS.

Ibrahim Sekagya has helped develop a number of young players including the current captain of the USA national team, Tyler Adams. (Credit: New York Red Bulls)

Question: You played with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and former Everton captain Tim Cahill here. Are you still in touch with them?

Answer: Yes. I often get time to talk with Henry and Tim. But I see Henry more often, and I always learn a thing from him because he is a manager.

Question: The New York Red Bulls II currently feature two Ugandan players: Ibrahim Kasule and Steven Sserwadda. How do you rate their development at the club?

Answer: When Kasule first arrived here, he had a good start with us. Of course, both players are still developing. It’s just unfortunate that Sserwadda got injured, and that put him backwards. But he is steadily getting back with the second team. Kasule and Sserwadda are still young and disciplined. Their future is bright.

Question: What areas should that young player that dreams of representing New York Red Bulls work on?

Answer: Discipline and dedication. If you have that and put in the work, the sky is the limit. You must know what you want.

Question: The New York Red Bulls academy is one of the best in the US. How can a parent in Uganda succeed in getting their kid into the club’s academy?

Answer: The rules in place determine that. And age matters. For a young player to join our academy, you must bring your family with you. Then, you must be 18 to start with the club. It’s not easy for young players under the age of 14 to join the academy from Uganda. The rules in place complicate that.

Question: Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp joined you as the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull. How does it feel working with such a high-profile football manager?

Answer: It’s a dream for everyone to work under Klopp. I am learning so much from him. He has so much knowledge about football. He is the best football manager to work with. He is a special person. He is a good mentor for us at the club. It feels great having him at our football institution. We spoke at length about the game and have already connected. I for example told him, that I helped Sadio Mane settle in at Red Bull Salzburg in 2012. Mane came through as a young player and we played together before we both moved on.

Ibrahim Sekagya is Uganda’s most accomplished and celebrated footballer. (Credit: New York Red Bulls)

Question: Your former Cranes teammate Denis Onyango is still playing at 40 years old. Clearly, age is just a number. What is he doing right at that age?

Answer: Discipline. That is what has kept him going. We played together in the national team and I saw that and dedication.

Question: When you first arrived in the US, your son was still young and the last two were in daycare. We saw your eldest son in a graduation gown. You must be a proud father?

Answer: Seeing him grow into the man he is now is really big. But seeing him even graduate with a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.99 was very special for us as a family. There have been sacrifices along the way.

Question: New York has several distractions. It’s a city that never goes to sleep. How have you kept yourself and the kids focused?

Answer: It’s down to how I live my life and how I look at life. You can have fun, but remain disciplined. It should never take away what you plan to achieve.

Former Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya posing for a picture with Vision Sports’ Head of Sports Fred Kaweesi

Question: How important has your family been to your journey now?

Answer: My family helped me grow. It’s one of the biggest achievements in my life. It’s always good when you go home and have a supportive family waiting. That is special.

Kaweesi: It was nice catching up with you Ibra. We look forward to an exciting season for New York Red Bulls.

Ibra: Thank You, Fred! We’ll give it our best.