MLS
John Herdman rebuilding Toronto FC with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi
The Italian duo were underwhelming in MLS last year but the TFC head coach was full of praise for their attitude in the off-season.
The futures of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi was a key issue for Toronto FC head coach John Herdman when he joined the club last October. The Italian duo are two of the highest-paid players in MLS and arrived in 2022 to much fan-fare.
But they struggled to perform in 2023 and were seen as symptomatic of Toronto’s nightmare campaign, which saw the team finish bottom of MLS. There were disciplinary issues - including accusations that Bernardeschi would vape at the training center - but there can be little doubt of their quality.
The Toronto squad reported for medicals last week and John Herdman told reporters on Monday that he has been impressed with what he’s seen from Insigne and Bernardeschi so far.
“Their behaviour, their communication, their posture, everything is showing they’re fully committed,” Herdman said. “They’re showing a passion and commitment. They’ve really taken on the leadership responsibility, I can’t emphasize that enough. They’re leading.”
They both have more than two years remaining on their four-year contracts and now look likely to remain in Ontario for the new season.
Insigne and Bernardeschi ‘buying in’ to Toronto project
Toronto endured a terrible 2023 season, finishing with five fewer points than any other MLS team and winning just four games in the league. Veteran coach Bob Bradley was dismissed in June after being adjudged to have lost the confidence of the locker room and interim manager Terry Dunfield won just one of his 15 games in charge.
Herdman arrives after guiding the Canadian national team to the World Cup finals for the first time in 36 years. He has a solid record at international level but has never previously coached a professional club side.
Earlier this month Herdman was asked if he believed the Italian duo have bought into his vision for Toronto FC. The 48-year-old was confident that they were committed to making a success of their moves to MLS.
He explained: “I think for those two, there’s a buy-in because they want to change and they have a chance now. There’s just no more excuses for any of the players there.”
“They’ve had a reset, they’re getting a full preseason and we’ll work on that buy-in towards what they want. And what they want is to become top in MLS. That’s where they believe they can take this club.”
Toronto’s first game of the 2024 MLS campaign sees them travel to Supporters’ Shield holders FC Cincinnati on Sunday 25 February.