This Week in Toronto FC History - Torsten Frings Retires

On 26 February 2013, Toronto FC Midfielder and German International Torsten Frings decided to hang up his boots. Frings is one of the biggest names to ever wear a Toronto FC jersey, and his arrival in 2011 was a massive "statement" moment for the club. Here is a look at the career of the German legend, with a focus on his time in MLS.

Before landing in Toronto, Torsten Frings had already cemented himself as one of the premier defensive midfielders in world football. Known by the nickname "Der Lutscher" (The Lollipop), he was a tireless engine with a rocket of a right foot.

He spent the majority of his career at Werder Bremen, but also had high-profile stints at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. rings earned 79 caps for Germany, playing a pivotal role in their runs to the 2002 World Cup Final and the 2006 World Cup Semi-Finals.

On June 29, 2011, Toronto FC announced the double-signing of Frings and Dutch striker Danny Koevermans as Designated Players. It was a transformative move for a club struggling for identity.

Frings made his debut on July 20, 2011, against FC Dallas. He immediately brought a level of tactical discipline and composure that the team had lacked. He was quickly handed the captain’s armband. Additionally, his presence in the locker room was intended to demonstrate a winning mentality into a young TFC squad. One of his biggest contributions in 2011 was helping TFC navigate the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, leading them to their first-ever knockout round appearance in the competition.

The 2012 season was a rollercoaster for both Frings and the club. While his quality was undeniable, the physical toll of a long career began to catch up with him. Frings was part of the team that started the season with nine straight losses. Teammate Koevermans labelled the squad, “The Worst Team in the World”.

Due to injuries in the squad, Frings often dropped back from his preferred midfield role to play as a sweeper/center-back. His ability to read the game allowed him to excel there, even as his mobility decreased. In late August 2012, Frings suffered a serious hip injury that required surgery. This unfortunately turned out to be the beginning of the end for his playing days.

Frings entered the 2013 pre-season with the intention of playing one final year. However, during training camp, it became clear that his recovery was not progressing as hoped. On February 26, 2013, Frings announced his retirement from professional soccer. He cited the fact that he could no longer perform at the level he expected of himself, stating:

"During pre-season we discovered that my recovery would take longer than expected. I always want to do what's best for the team and that's why I've decided to step away." Club president Kevin Payne stated that the team wanted to maintain a relationship with Frings, "not just for next season, but for seasons to come." Frings expressed a desire to stay in the game as a coach. 

Upon his retirement, Frings maintained a professional link with Toronto FC. The club's management at the time noted that he had agreed to collaborate on future projects, specifically acting as a representative or scout for the team within Europe.

After leaving Toronto FC, Frings transitioned into a career focused on coaching and club management.

Frings returned to his former club, Werder Bremen, initially working as a youth coach to learn the profession. In October 2014, he was promoted to assistant coach of the first team under manager Viktor Skrypnyk. During this period, he completed a 10-month course to receive his professional coaching license from the German FA in March 2015.

He took his first head coaching position in the Bundesliga with SV Darmstadt 98 in December 2016. Although the team was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga at the end of that season, he remained in charge until December 2017. After a break from management, Frings was appointed head coach of the 3.Liga side SV Meppen in July 2020. He held the position until April 2021.

After leaving football in 2021, Frings has been spending time with his family and riding his motorcycle. 

Interesting fact - the character Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad was named after Frings as writer George Mastras confirmed he was a fan of the German footballer.