John Herdman Leaves Team Canada, Joins Toronto FC

The big news in MLS on Monday, apart from Lionel Messi destroying the competition, is that Toronto FC has its new head coach. The much beloved and respected John Herdman joins the club after spending 12 years managing both the women’s and men’s national teams.

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John Herdman Becomes Toronto FC Manager

The England native has known plenty of success at the international level, having helped pave the way for where both the women’s and men’s national teams are today. The women are typically a top 10 nation as per FIFA ranking and the men played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the program’s first appearance since Mexico in 1986.

Herdman shared some brief thoughts in a statement:

“I am keen to start this new opportunity with Toronto FC. Personally, it’s the right time for me to step into a new challenge in my career, and the structure of a club environment is a context I’ve aspired to operate in.”

Managing at the club level brings with it its own set of challenges, especially when considering Toronto FC. It’s incredible to think that this is a club that won it all in 2017. They currently sit last in the Eastern Conference with a 3-10-13 record and 19 points. The last time they won a game was May 27 against the DC United.

Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi have not lived up to the billing, even though the bills to acquire them were lofty by MLS standards. Bernardeschi has not shied away from expressing how frustrating the campaign has been and his experience as a member of TFC.

Terry Dunfield is currently serving as interim coach after the firing of Bob Bradley earlier this season. Herdman takes over the job on October 1.  CANMNT has said it will begin its search for a new manager immediately. Speaking of shoes to fill, whoever steps in will not only have to follow up on Herdman’s excellent work with the national team but do so with the knowledge that Canada co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico.