Toronto FC name John Herdman new head coach

Herdman will be charged with steering TFC beyond their tumultuous 2023 campaign, where they’re currently last in the Eastern Conference table with eight games to go (19 points; 3W-13L-10D record). Those struggles led to the departure of former head coach Bob Bradley in late June, with Terry Dunfield leading the club on an interim basis.

Herdman initially took over the CanMNT in 2018 and was set to lead them into the 2026 World Cup on home soil. Now, he’s instead entered the MLS arena north of the border.

“I am keen to start this new opportunity with Toronto FC,” Herdman, 48, said in a release. “Personally, 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. Having access to connect and collaborate with the staff and players daily allows for a different depth of development and connection, both on and off the pitch.

“To continue my coaching journey in a Canadian city that I know well, playing at BMO Field – a stadium where I’ve experienced some of my favorite sporting moments, with incredible fans, is quite amazing. I want to thank president Bill Manning and MLSE for trusting me with this project. I am motivated to work with this team and an organization of this caliber.”