Toronto FC head coach John Herdman has officially resigned, after a little more than a year in charge of the club.
Herdman, the former Canadian men’s and women’s national team manager, took on the job on October 1, 2023.
“Personally, I have made the difficult decision that it’s the right time for me to step away from the club, as the organization defines its vision for the future,” Herdman said in a statement.
“It has been an honour to wear the Toronto FC crest and contribute to the growth of the club. Working with this dedicated group of players and staff has been a true privilege. I want to thank Keith Pelley and MLSE ownership for the opportunity, and I also want to thank the incredible fans for the support they’ve shown me both on and off the pitch. I wish the organization success going forward, and I look forward to the next chapter in my career.”
Toronto finished 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference this season, missing out on the playoffs.
Herdman was a wildly popular figure in the Canadian sphere due to his time with the national teams, but has come under increased scrutiny in recent months due to his reported involvement and installation of a drone-spying program of opponents during international competition. Canada women’s coach Bev Priestman was let go by the program earlier this month.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I thank John for his commitment to Toronto FC and for the important strides for the club during his time as Head Coach,” said MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley. “John’s passion for the game and dedication is evident to all those he has worked with and we wish him and his family the very best. The organization will begin the search for Toronto FC’s next Head Coach immediately.”
It is unclear if further sanctions are coming to Herdman from either FIFA or the MLS.
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