Toronto FC head coach John Herdman steps down after missing playoffs in 1st season

After finding himself entangled in the Paris Olympic drone-spying scandal that led to the dismissal of Canadian women’s head coach Bev Priestman, John Herdman made the difficult decision to resign as the coach of Toronto FC. The scandal, which seemed to have no end in sight, prompted Herdman to step away from the club rather than carry the burden of the controversy with him.

Canada Soccer had initiated an investigation into the Olympic incident and any related historical matters, appointing Sonia Regenbogen from the law firm of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark to handle the review. Herdman, a former coach of both the Canada women’s and men’s teams, was rumored to be involved in a culture of spying within Canada Soccer. Despite maintaining his innocence and refusing to comment on the allegations, the pressure continued to mount.

In a brief statement released by TFC, no specific reason was provided for Herdman’s resignation. Herdman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach the team and contribute to its growth, but acknowledged that it was time for him to move on. The decision to leave was reportedly made by Herdman himself, and neither he nor MLSE offered further comments on the matter.

By stepping down from his position at TFC, Herdman may have avoided further scrutiny into his past actions, allowing Canada Soccer to focus on the future. The disciplinary consequences for individuals involved in the scandal could range from a written notice of admonishment to a lifetime suspension, according to Canada Soccer’s Disciplinary Code.

With Herdman’s departure, TFC can now look to fill the coaching vacancy with established MLS coach Jim Curtin, who recently parted ways with the Philadelphia Union after a successful tenure. Curtin’s experience in developing young talent and working within budget constraints could be beneficial for TFC moving forward.

The fallout from the drone-spying scandal has been extensive, leading to suspensions and resignations within Canada Soccer. The investigation revealed that the practice of spying may have originated with Herdman during his tenure as the head coach of the women’s national team, and was later continued by Priestman.

Herdman’s coaching career has been marked by success, including leading the Canadian women to bronze medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. However, his time at TFC was less fruitful, with the team failing to make the playoffs for four consecutive years.

Despite the challenges he faced at TFC, Herdman was known for his dedication and work ethic. His departure leaves a void that TFC will now look to fill with a new head coach. The organization expressed gratitude for Herdman’s contributions and wished him well in his future endeavors as they begin the search for his successor.