After five years at the helm of the Canadian Men’s Soccer Team, John Herdman stepped down on Monday. It was subsequently announced that he has taken on the head coaching duties at Toronto FC.
Before leading the men to their second-ever World Cup, after a 36-year wait, he coached the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team, winning bronze medals at the Summer Olympics in 2012 and 2016.
“I am grateful for the incredible opportunity to have represented Canada for the past 12 years, for the moments I’ve been able to share with the players, the staff, and the supporters,” he said in a statement from Canada Soccer. “I arrived from New Zealand in 2011 with the aim of changing the game in our country, and I have been able to form many deep connections, through experiences in London 2012, a home World Cup in 2015, Rio 2016, World Cup qualification in 2022 and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The goal was always to leave the game in a better place and I’m confident that goal has been achieved for Canada.”
In his 12 years with Canada Soccer, he coached 101 matches for the women and 58 for the men.
With the women, Herdman also won the Pan American Games gold medal in 2011.
Previously to working with Canada Soccer, Herdman managed the New Zealand Women’s Team. Before that, he worked as a development coach for Sunderland A.F.C. in England.
“John Herdman is the most successful head coach in the history of Canada Soccer,” Canada Soccer president, Charmaine Crooks, said. “We would like to thank John for his immense contribution to the game in Canada and wish him the very best in his new role at Toronto FC,”
From the national to the domestic
Toronto FC (3W-10D-13L) fired their last head coach, Bob Bradley, on June 26. Academy coach and former player Terry Dunfield was named as interim head coach right after.
But it has not gone to plan. Toronto sits tied for the basement of MLS with Colorado Rapids with 19 points. They are currently 13 points out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
In a statement from the club, Herman said he was “keen to start this new opportunity.”
“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,” he said.
Toronto FC president, Bill Manning called Herman “a great leader and culture builder.”
“I’ve had a great relationship with John over the years and have always been impressed with his ability to get the most out of his teams,” Manning said. “We look forward to John having the same positive impact with TFC as he has had with Canada Soccer.”
No decisions have been made on any changes to Toronto’s coaching staff.
Canada Soccer also announced that Mauro Biello will take over as head coach on an interim basis. Biello was named assistant coach to the program in March 2018.
Leaving with Herdman are assistant coaches Simon Eaddy and Eric Tenllado. Lead scout, Alex Dodgshon, and head of performance, Dr. Caesar Meylan, have also left.