Red Bulls continuing football woes

In Formula 1 Austrian energy drink maker Red Bull are on top of the world, but in football they are far away from their ambitions to be amongst the best in the business. And if things don't go right then the people in charge get the sack at their worldwide football operations which are spread across in Austria, Germany, the United States, Ghana and Brazil.

RB Salzburg - Austria

The above happened yesterday at their Austrian football team Red Bull Salzburg, who are only third in the league behind league leaders Austria Vienna and were eliminated in the group stage from the Europa League after not making it into the UEFA Champions League. Not enough for the big bosses at Red Bull.

Dutch coach Huub Stevens was relieved of his duties with fellow Dutchman and technical director Ricardo Moniz taking over until the end of the season. Moniz will be assisted by former club player and Croatian international Niko Kovac, who has had a coaching role with the clubs youth team since retiring in 2009.

But not only the coach was fired also the Director of Sports Dietmar Beiersdorfer of Germany had to go. The club said in a statement Friday they parted company from the coach and Director of Sports by mutual consent but did not disclose further details. Both Stevens and Beiersdorfer had been at the club since 2009 and in the first season they had won the Austrian league title.

RB Leipzig - Germany

In Germany RB Leipzig has different problems altogether. In Leipzig the club last season won the German fifth division title after the takeover by Red Bull and this year the plan was to get through the fourth division while it would get more difficult in higher divisions, but as per Red Bull plans by 2017 the club should be playing in the top tier Bundesliga with an initial investment of up to 100 Million Euros to achieve that aim.

But in year two the club is facing problems as they are 10 points of the league leaders Chemnitzer FC and promotion looks unlikely. So changes are likely at the club with former German international Thomas Linke already installed as Director of Sports and a new coach looks set to take over from Thomas Oral next season. The name being linked to the job is that of Austrian Peter Pacult, who is currently the coach of Rapid Vienna.

New York Red Bulls - USA

In North American the Major League Soccer season has just started and so far things are fine with the New York Red Bulls who are looking to win titles this year with players like Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez on their roaster.