John Herdman has resigned as coach of Canada soccer team and will become head coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) Toronto FC, Canada Soccer’s governor announced Monday.
The 48-year-old Englishman led the Canadian men to the World Cup last year, his first appearance in 36 years. After more than five years at the helm of the Canadian team, the DT will land on the MLS team on October 1st.
“I’m excited to open this new opportunity at Toronto FC,” said Herdman. “The time is ripe to face a new professional challenge.”
Herdman takes charge of a Toronto team with a 3-13 record, the worst in MLS.
The club sacked Bob Bradley in June, and Terry Dunfield managed the team on an interim basis.
Herdman also managed the New Zealand women’s national team from 2006 to 2011 and coached the team at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
She took charge of the Canada women’s team in 2011, leading them to bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and to the quarterfinals of the 2015 Women’s World Cup, hosted in Canada.
His appointment as coach of the men’s national team made him the first coach to lead the same nation’s men’s and women’s representatives at World Cups.
“John’s contribution to football in Canada is unprecedented,” said Canada Soccer President Charmaine Crooks.
“We would like to thank John for his immense contribution to football in Canada and wish him well in his new role at Toronto FC,” added the CEO.
Canada will host the 2026 World Cup along with the United States and Mexico.
