John Herdman resigns from Toronto FC

John Herdman Resigns as Toronto FC Coach Amid Drone-Spying Scandal

After being embroiled in the drone-spying scandal that has plagued Canada Soccer, John Herdman has decided to step down as coach of Toronto FC. This comes after he took charge of the MLS team in late August following his resignation as coach of the Canadian men’s team.

No specific reason was provided for Herdman’s resignation in the brief statement released by TFC.

In his statement, Herdman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Toronto FC and contribute to the club’s growth. He thanked the organization, players, staff, and fans for their support and stated that he looks forward to the next chapter in his career.

The drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics has already had repercussions, leading to the departure of Canadian women’s head coach Bev Priestman. The scandal, which involved spying on rival teams, has raised concerns within Canada Soccer.

Canada Soccer has initiated an investigation into the matter, with allegations pointing to Herdman as the initiator of the practice during his tenure with the women’s national team. Priestman, who served as Herdman’s assistant, has also been implicated in the scandal.

Despite the allegations, Herdman has maintained his innocence, stating that such activities were not undertaken during major events like the Olympics and World Cups under his leadership.

During his time with Toronto FC, Herdman oversaw a challenging season where the team struggled to make significant progress. The organization expressed appreciation for his contributions and announced plans to begin the search for a new head coach.

As the investigation continues and Canada Soccer grapples with the fallout from the scandal, the future of the organization remains uncertain.

This article was originally published on Nov. 29, 2024, by The Canadian Press.