Report: RB Salzburg academy director new Philadelphia Union sporting director

Red Bull Salzburg academy director Ernst Tanner is set to be announced as the Philadelphia Union sporting director, according to a report in The Athletic.

The German has been the academy director at Salzburg in Austria since 2012 and prior to that held a similar position at 1860 Munich and TSG Hoffenheim. He also served as CEO and director of football at Hoffenheim prior to his move to Austria.

The Union announced last week that they were in the process of finalizing a contract with the new sporting director, who replaces Earnie Stewart. Stewart, who joined the club in October 2015, departed last week to begin his new position as general manager of the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Tanner’s experience in the youth setup for clubs in Europe was undoubtedly a draw for a team that has repeatedly touted its recent successes producing first team players out of its academy system.

During Stewart’s tenure, he was credited with strengthening the pathway from academy to Bethlehem Steel FC to the first team so among his other responsibilities Tanner will be tasked with maintaining that pathway.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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