Hans Backe Takes Over RBNY: Initial Reaction

Doing my usual morning soccer new rounds and BAM, the story hits me in the face...
Apparently RBNY has a new coach...finally.

Via Red Bulls Reader:

The club announced today that it has named Hans Backe as the club’s new head coach. Backe, who has almost three decades of European coaching experience, will retain assistant coach Richie Williams and goalkeeper coach Des McAleenan for his staff. Jeremy Holsopple will also join the staff as the team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach. The Red Bulls will introduce Backe to the local media at a later date.
Backe enjoyed success in a number of European leagues, capturing four Danish titles with FC Copenhagen (2000-01, 2002-03 and 2003-04) and Aalborg BK (1998-99). He also won the Danish Cup in 2004 and the Danish Super Cup in 2001 and 2004 with Copenhagen. Backe was with Aalborg from 1998-2000 and headed Copenhagen from 2001-05.
The 57-year-old Swede joins the Red Bulls after a short stint with English League Two side, Notts County. Prior to being hired by Notts County, Backe worked as an assistant manager at Manchester City in the English Premiership with former England National Team manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, from 2007-08. Backe later joined Eriksson’s staff when Eriksson became the Mexican National Team head coach on June 3, 2008.
Backe started his illustrious career with Swedish club, Djurgardens IF, before moving to other major teams in Scandinavia including Stabek, Hammarby IF, Osters IF and AIK. He has also coached at SV Salzburg and Greek Super League team, Panathinakos.

 My take after the jump, or "yump" as it may be in this case...


I want to post an initial reaction to this (initial = I just read this news 10min ago) so we can go back and laugh as it changes over time.

First thoughts:  Well done Red Bull

I was in the camp that was very much against bringing in a foreign manager.  It never works in MLS.  But I stand in favor of this hiring for 2 big reasons:
1)  Richie Williams is still on the staff - How Red Bull managed to talk Richie into an assistant role when he could have been a head coach wherever he pleased is beyond me.  He's the man that I, and most of the fanbase, wanted to see get the job in the first place.  If we're going to hire a foreign manager, there is no better sidekick for him to have than Richie Williams.  Brilliant work by RBNY to keep him on staff.
2)  Backe's silverware collection is no joke - The man has 4 League, 1 Cup (hahaha, get it) and 2 Super Cup titles in leagues that are very similar to MLS in regards to talent, finances and structure.  His trophy cabinet is a clear sign that he knows how to win in a situation where he can't just go out and buy a superstar to solve a problem.

...and as a bonus, I like knowing that at least once, Backe has uttered the phrase "Shut up, Sven" in earnest.

So, initially, I see nothing but good news here.
We'll see how my comrades take the news over the course of the day.