# John Herdman leaves Canada Soccer to become head coach at Toronto FC
Canadian men’s soccer team coach, John Herdman, is making a significant career move by leaving Canada Soccer to become the head coach at Toronto FC. This news was confirmed by both Canada’s governing body for the sport and Toronto FC in separate press releases on Monday. Herdman, who previously led both the women’s national team and the men’s team to impressive achievements, is now taking on the challenge of coaching Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.
This departure comes at a challenging time for Canada Soccer, which has been dealing with financial issues, governance problems, and labor disputes with national team players. The loss of such a prominent coach is another blow to the federation, particularly as Canada is set to co-host the men’s World Cup in just three years.
In a statement released by Canada Soccer, Herdman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Canada for the past 12 years. He reflected on the deep connections formed during his tenure, which included experiences like the 2012 London Olympics, the 2015 home World Cup, and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His ultimate goal was to leave the game in a better place, and he believes that goal has been achieved for Canada.
During Herdman’s time as coach, the Canadian men’s team made their first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1986, although they did not advance past the group stage. Despite this, they accomplished something that the 1986 team did not by scoring a goal at the tournament. Herdman expressed his gratitude towards the players he had coached since 2018, highlighting the trust, belief, and brotherhood that had developed among them.
One factor that may have contributed to Herdman’s departure is Canada Soccer’s ongoing financial struggles. The federation has been involved in public labor disputes with its national team players, who have voiced concerns about preparation, resources, and gender equity. Herdman had been vocal about these issues, particularly after the Canadian men’s team lost to the U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League final. He challenged Canada Soccer to address these concerns and prioritize winning the World Cup in 2026.
Despite the challenges faced by Canada Soccer, Herdman’s departure has been described as making complete sense at this time. Pundits and commentators believe that Herdman was not given the resources he needed to potentially make the team successful in 2026. The new challenge of coaching Toronto FC, with its access to resources and the opportunity to collaborate with players and staff on a daily basis, is seen as an exciting opportunity for Herdman.
As Herdman transitions to his new role, assistant coach Mauro Biello will serve as interim head coach for Canada Soccer. Herdman will work with Biello until the end of September, after which he will focus solely on his responsibilities at Toronto FC.
Toronto FC, which has been searching for a permanent head coach since June, is looking to Herdman to return the team to its previous success. The club won the MLS Cup in 2017 and was runner-up in 2016 and 2019. Despite their current last-place position in the Eastern Conference, TFC believes that Herdman’s leadership and ability to get the most out of his teams will have a positive impact on the club.
Herdman will be officially introduced as head coach at Toronto FC during a press conference on Tuesday, and he will begin his new role on October 1. The challenge of coaching in a club environment is something he has long aspired to, and he is excited about the depth of development and connection that comes with working closely with the staff and players on a daily basis.
Overall, Herdman’s move from Canada Soccer to Toronto FC marks a significant change in his career and presents both challenges and opportunities for him as a coach.
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