John Herdman takes over as coach of Toronto FC but plans to be an observer this week
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John Herdman plans a soft landing with Toronto FC. Probably a sound move given the mess that awaits.
John Herdman plans a soft landing with Toronto FC. Probably a sound move given the mess that awaits.
The former Canada coach, who was scheduled to arrive in Toronto on Sunday evening from the West Coast, will essentially spend his first week on the job observing the underperforming MLS club. Toronto (4-17-10) has two road games this week, at Charlotte FC on Wednesday and the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, before closing out the season at home against Orlando City on Oct. 21.
Herdman will take charge for the season finale, using the international break that precedes it for extended training time with his new team.
Interim coach Terry Dunfield will run practice and be on the sidelines for the Charlotte and Red Bulls games.
Herdman has been watching TFC from afar. Now he will do it on location for the next week or so with his new staff, which is expected to borrow heavily from the team around him with the Canadian men.
“As a staff, we've been thinking about this, talking about it, for the last three, four weeks. There's an excitement just to get in the building and feel what's there. And see it,” Herdman said in an interview.
“That's what we've been waiting for. Day-to-day coaching. Being with people day-to-day. Getting away from the endless Zoom meetings with people thousands of kilometres away. And just smelling the grass and getting into the chaos of day-to-day football.”
