Ultimately, John Herdman saw the writing on the wall and walked away.
Herdman, who has already been implicated in the Paris Olympics drone surveillance scandal that cost Canadian women’s soccer team coach Bev Priestman his job, resigned as coach of Toronto FC on Friday.
With the scandal not going away, Herdman decided to take a step back rather than let the problem hang around her neck like an albatross.
Canada Soccer announced July 31 that it has hired Sonia Regenbogen of the law firm of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark to handle its review of the Olympic incident and all related matters of a historic nature.
Herdman, a former Canadian women’s and men’s coach, has been linked to a culture of spies within Canadian soccer. The fact that he had not spoken to Regenbogen added fuel to the fire when the report finally came out.
Herdman declined to comment publicly on the claims, citing “the integrity of the investigation.” However, he insisted that his record at the Olympics and World Cups was clean.
“I want to make it clear once again that no such activity has taken place at the FIFA World Cup, top competitions, Olympic Games or Youth World Cups,” he said in July. “And I have nothing more to say on the matter.”
TFC’s four-paragraph announcement did not specify a reason for the resignation.
“Personally, I have made the difficult decision that it is the right time to step away from the club as it defines its vision for the future,” Herdman said in a statement. “It was an honor to wear the Toronto FC crest and contribute to the growth of the club.
‘Please look forward to the next episode’
“It has been a true privilege to work with this dedicated group of players and staff. I would like to thank Keith Pelley (President and CEO) and the owners of MLSE for the opportunity they have shown me on and off the field. I wish the organization great success going forward. Best wishes and I look forward to the next chapter of my career.”
It is understood the decision to leave was Herdman’s alone. Neither he nor MLSE had further comment Friday.
In stepping down from TFC, Herdman may have denied the need for further investigation into any past crimes. If he doesn’t coach in Canada, Canadian soccer could be looking ahead.
According to Canada Soccer’s disciplinary code, the sanctions a disciplinary hearing can result in can range from a written disciplinary notice to a lifetime suspension.
“We will evaluate the appropriate course of action and determine the next steps to take regarding this matter,” the Canadian Soccer Association said in a statement.
Herdman can continue coaching, albeit not in Canada.
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment avoided a messy scandal that could have lasted months. And with Herdman gone, an established MLS coach like Jim Curtin could be looked at as a replacement.
Curtin was fired earlier this month after an impressive 10 years as head of the Philadelphia Union. Despite a poor 9-15-10 season this season (tied with Toronto at D 11-19-4), Curtin has shown both an ability to develop young talent and work within a limited budget.
The ripple effect of widespread surveillance by drones
The first is something TFC desperately needs and the second is not an issue thanks to MLSE’s large size.
The ramifications of drone surveillance have been far-reaching.
Canada Soccer said Priestman would not return. Priestman, head coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi have now been handed one-year suspensions by FIFA, and Lombardi has already resigned as head coach of Canadian soccer.
This summer, FIFA’s appeals committee ruled that Herdman had been sent to Canadian soccer’s Ground Zero to spy on a rival team.
“Canada is investigating the history of this matter, but we suspect the practice of using drones began during John Herdman’s time as head coach of the women’s national team, meaning it was a practice started by one person,” according to a FIFA document from Canada Soccer. continued John Herdman and Bev Priestman.
In another email from Canada Soccer to FIFA, Priestman, who was once Herdman’s assistant coach, suggested the practice was common on both men’s and women’s teams.
And perhaps it will become commonplace elsewhere. Canada captured the world’s attention at the Olympics.
Herdman switched from the Canadian women’s national team to the men’s national team in January 2018, leading the men’s national team to the 2022 World Cup for the first time since 1986. In 2016.
Failed to advance to playoffs 4 times in a row
Herdman took over for TFC in the final two games of the 2023 season, when Toronto finished last in the league with a 4-20-10 record.
Although there was some improvement this season, Toronto finished 11th in the Eastern Conference at 11-19-4 and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Herdman bled for the cause and left his family behind in BC to spend many years at TFC.
“I’ve never seen (his) work ethic before. He’s a machine,” captain Jonathan Osorio said of Herdman.
“He cares,” he added. “We need people who care.”
Herdman was a refreshing change after Bob Bradley. He shook hands with observers every day during training and wore his heart on his sleeve after a loss.
Osorio and Herdman both took time to talk to disgruntled fans in the south stands at BMO Field following recent losses.
Herdman inherited a team with stars he didn’t hire: Italy’s Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. He waited patiently for GM Jason Hernandez to resolve his past contract issues, but now he won’t reap the rewards.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank John for his commitment to Toronto FC and the significant progress he has made for the club during his time as manager,” Pelley said in a statement. “John’s passion and commitment to the game is evident to all who have worked with him and we wish him and his family the best of luck. The organization will immediately begin its search for the next manager of Toronto FC.”
