'Ready for change': John Herdman eyes opportunity to develop, build Toronto FC back into a winner

One of John Herdman's biggest motivations is quite simple: the chance to develop a new group and help Toronto FC return to its former glory.

One of John Herdman's biggest motivations is quite simple: the chance to develop a new group and help Toronto FC return to its former glory.

Herdman was formally introduced as Toronto FC's new head coach at a news conference Tuesday. He will take on the new role starting Oct. 1.

The 48-year-old Englishman stepped down as the bench boss for Canada's senior men's national team on Monday to take over at the Major League Soccer club.

"The resume outlines with the staff that I work with — that we gravitate to this type of situation where there's a huge opportunity there," he said. "This is a massive club with a huge heritage and we all believe that we'll get there pretty soon.

"So coming into this setting is almost perfect for the experiences that we have, working with the culture here to refocus, reinvigorate not only the staff but the players to get to that next level. And that next level is there for Toronto FC, it's a club that we know can reach it."

Herdman spent 13 years with Canada's national teams, initially coaching the senior women's team before taking over the men's team in 2018. He led the men to their first World Cup appearance in 36 years in 2022.

Herdman is the first manager to lead both a women's and men's team from the same country to World Cup qualification.