December 4, 2012
HANS MIGHT BE BACKE
Report: Swedish club interested in ex-Red Bulls boss

Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

Former Red Bulls coach Hans Backe might not be out of a job for very long.

Backe, whose contract was not renewed by the Major League Soccer club after three seasons, has spurred interest from Östers IF in his native Sweden. The team recently moved up to the First Division.

"I have had contact with Peter Johansson [Östers sports manager], but I told him I'm not ready to make a decision. Öster is an option that is worth considering," Backe was quoted by Swedish website fotbollskanalen.se.

The 60-year-old Backe coached Öster from 1989-93.

"We have had a good talk," he told the website. "I'm in no hurry. I'm taking it easy. There is no need to comment on how interesting it is."

During his three-year tenure with the Red Bulls, Backe guided the team into the playoffs, but could not get the team past the conference semifinals, despite the presence of former French international standout Thierry Henry.

This past season the Red Bulls finished in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 16-9-9 record and 57 points, but were eliminated by D.C. United in the aggregate goals conference semis.