State of the union: John Herdman hits the ground running at TFC
In his own, inimitable way, Herdman has already laid down the law at Toronto FC. The club might never be the same again.
After gently easing himself into the turbulent waters known as Toronto FC, new coach John Herdman made a big splash during his first week in charge of running the club.
The 48-year-old Englishman was a fly on wall for TFC’s last two games – a pair of 3-0 losses away to Charlotte FC and the New York Red Bulls – watching his new charges from a private box inside the stadium while interim coach Terry Dunfield was on the touchline.
Last week Herdman began to oversee the team in training sessions. He also talked to the group in a big meeting and had one-on-one chats with some players as he prepared the side for this week’s regular season finale at home vs. Orlando City.
Rather than wait until the winter to start the rebuilding process, Herdman made his first roster move by immediately showing Franco Ibarra the door. In early July, newly installed GM Jason Hernandez acquired the 22-year-old Argentine on loan from Atlanta United FC for the remainder of the 2023 MLS campaign, in return for $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).
