John Herdman resigns as Toronto FC coach

John Herdman stepped down from his role as Toronto FC head coach, the Major League Soccer club announced Friday.

"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 honor to wear the Toronto FC crest and contribute to the growth of the club."

TFC missed the playoffs last season after finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Herdman joined Toronto FC in August 2023 after successful stints as the head coach of the Canadian women's and men's national teams. But he didn't enjoy the same success at the club level, as TFC failed to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

"I wish the organization success going forward, and I look forward to the next chapter in my career," he added.

MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley said the search for Herdman's replacement will start immediately.

Last summer, Herdman was linked to the drone scandal that rocked the Canadian women's team at the Paris Olympics. The 49-year-old, who coached the women's team from 2011-18, was unavailable to meet with a private investigator for questioning about the illegal use of drones by national team staff.

The incident, in which Canadian coaching staff members were caught spying on the New Zealand women's team's practice with drones, eventually led to the dismissal of Herdman's successor, Bev Priestman, earlier in November. Canada was docked six points during the women's Olympics soccer tournament but managed to progress out of the group stage before losing in the quarterfinals.

Herdman also enjoyed a successful spell as head coach of the Canadian men's team, helping the country qualify for the World Cup in 2022 for the first time since 1986.