MLS
John Herdman leaves Canadian national team to take over at Toronto FC
Having taken Canada to the 2022 World Cup, the English coach returns to club football as he is drafted in to revive the hopes of the BMO Field side in MLS.
The progression of the Canada national team led by John Herdman has been one of CONCACAF’s recent success stories with players like Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan all shining as the Maple Leafs made a return to a World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Herdman has decided to make a return to club football as Toronto FC confirmed the arrival of the Englishman as new head coach: “Toronto FC announced today that it has named the head coach of the Canada men’s national team, as the club’s head coach. Herdman will support Canada Soccer in the transition from his current role and assume responsibilities at the club effective October 1.”.
The Canadian FA wished the 48-year-old well with the president of the federation, Charmaine Crooks stating: “John Herdman is the most successful head coach in the history of Canadian soccer. From leading the Women’s National Team to back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, the road to their gold medal in 2020 (Tokyo 2021) and leading the Men’s National Team to the World Cup ( Qatar 2022)”.
Struggling Toronto FC
Herdman faces an uphill task with languishing at the foot of the Eastern Conference table with just three wins all season and unlikely to advance to the post season playoffs. Big name acquisitions such as Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi have failed to ignite the Canadian side with an MLS 2023 season record of 10 draws and only 3 victories, accumulating just 19 points.