MLS: New York Red Bulls at D.C. United

New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch stands in front of the bench prior to the Red Bulls' game against D.C. United on May 13, 2016. (Geoff Burke | USA TODAY Sports)

(Geoff Burke)

It came as a shock to everybody when the Red Bulls fired Mike Petke in 2014. The Red Bulls enjoyed success under him and Petke was one of the franchise's most popular coaches. If management was willing to fire a coach like Petke, they had to make sure they hired the right coach to replace him.

They did.

Jesse Marsch became the Red Bulls' coach in 2015 and the team has flourished under his leadership. Marsch brought the Red Bulls to the 2015 MLS Eastern Conference finals, and the team is poised to make another deep run in the postseason this year.

Marsch accepted multi-year contract extension on Friday, meaning he and the Red Bulls' success should extend throughout the foreseeable future.

"This has been a great place for me, no doubt," Marsch said after Friday's practice. "I think that the contract is a reflection of two things. First, the organization's belief in me. And then it's a reflection on the fact that we have a huge community of people here that are all pushing together, and believe in being one team and believing in being all in together."

Marsch has led the Red Bulls to a 27-17-8 record over 52 games. Marsch's introduction to the team coincided with Red Bulls' midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who also joined the Red Bulls in January 2015.

"Jesse [Marsch] and Ali [Curtis] didn't plan on a one-year thing for bringing me in, and I'm sure for themselves as well," Kljestan said after Friday's practice. "A lot of guys got new contracts at the end of a very successful season, and now it's nice to see that Jesse got a new contract as well."

Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch watches practice on June 2, 2016. (Daniel Falkenheim | For NJ.com)

Red Bulls' goalkeeper Luis Robles joined in on the praise.

"The work that [Marsch] has put into this organization and the belief he's instilled into these players, it absolutely shows," Robles said after practice on Friday. "Congratulations to Jesse, I'm glad that he got more money. He deserves it."

Marsch's contract extension is a momentary point of happiness but Marsch's work is far from over. Yes, Marsch was successful in his first season with the team, but Marsch has the opportunity to lead the Red Bulls to their first MLS championship in franchise history.

Don't worry. Marsch didn't take Friday to bask in his recent success with the team.

"I'm very thankful, but it doesn't mean anything in terms of what I put into every day," Marsch said after Friday's practice. "This business can be funny because you can get bounced around at different times. I'm still as hungry as ever."

Red Bulls defender Connor Lade has grown under Marsch. Lade struggled to find minutes with his first stint with the team in 2014, but he has emerged as a solid defender on a backline that has been plagued by injuries. Marsch himself has said Lade has "the heart of a lion" and Lade holds Marsch in high regard.

"Jesse [Marsch] has been incredible," Lade said after Friday's practice. "They're here at the crack of dawn every morning and it's almost dark by the time they leave. The amount of work they put into pays dividends into the way we play, but it also speaks to the people they are."

Prior to joining the Red Bulls, Marsch coached the Montreal Impact to a 12-16-6 record in their first MLS season. Marsch also served as an assistant coach on the U.S. Men's National Team under Bob Bradley in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Gold Cup.

Marsch and the Red Bulls will return to MLS action on June 19 against the Seattle Sounders.

Daniel Falkenheim may be reached at DFalkenheim@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Thefalkon. Find NJ.com on Facebook.