John Herdman took on the responsibility of managing Toronto FC for the 2024 season, where the expectations were high for the former Canada national team coach to give everything for this team.
Unfortunately, the work did not yield results, and now John Herdman finds himself with Toronto FC eliminated from the MLS playoffs and suffering a painful defeat in the Canadian Championship final. It’s clear that this was a season full of disappointment, where Toronto FC failed to meet its goals and will now go on an early vacation to rest and plan for the next season.
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John Herdman Committed to Giving His All for Toronto FC
In his statements, John Herdman made it clear that his responsibility was to take Toronto FC to the next level. The team had been struggling with several poor seasons, and there was hope that players like Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi could shine under his leadership.
However, this did not happen, and the season ended in failure. Toronto FC was eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoffs, finishing in a disappointing position. The team struggled with inconsistency throughout the season and was unable to compete at the highest level in MLS.
"I made a commitment to give it my all this year. I said I would be willing to leave my family & immerse myself fully into the job... I've given it my absolute best."John Herdman
Now, with an extended offseason ahead, the club is looking toward building a new project for the next season that will hopefully yield real results. Many have criticized John Herdman as a poor coach, as he was unable to create a competitive squad with the players he had.
The team’s on-field performance was lackluster, and they were one of the most conceded-against teams in MLS. This leaves a bitter taste, as Herdman’s time in charge is seen as a failure in the 2024 season.
It is expected that either Herdman will improve for the upcoming competitions or, unfortunately, he may have to leave the team. Now, the hope is that Toronto FC’s management will focus on recruiting younger players, as many of the current squad are reaching an age where they can no longer carry the team as they once did.
Veteran players like Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne, while still talented, may no longer be able to offer a promising future. The key now will be to build a long-term project around younger talent for the future of Toronto FC. For now, the focus is on rest and recovery.