While the rest of the nation eagerly awaits the continuation of Canada’s 2014 World Cup Qualification tomorrow, Toronto took a step backwards on what is being dubbed as “Groundhog Day.”
The club announced on Thursday that Aron Winter has “stepped down” and former England International and most recently Director of Player Development for TFC, Paul Mariner, would take over as head coach.
Mariner will serve as Toronto’s seventh head coach in six years.
“Aron Winter and I agreed he should step down,” said Tom Anselmi, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at MLSE.
They agreed he should step down? That sounds a lot like a smokescreen. We can’t say for sure, but it sure seems like Winter was fired.
Anselmi went on to say the decision was “a very difficult decision for both of us, but one that I felt was necessary.”
If the decision was for Winter to “step down,” why would the club wait until half way through this three week break? It would have made a lot more sense for it to happen at the start of the break, to give Mariner a full three weeks to work with his players. Unfortunately, nothing about this decision really makes sense. This whole situation was handled terribly.
Winter was offered an ongoing role at the club but turned it down. Can you blame him? The way this club is run is worrisome and evidently quite problematic.
Anselmi referred to the Toronto FC as “a whole organization, not just a soccer club.” In saying this he basically underscored the problem. It’s a business, not a soccer team.
MLSE leadership has to take responsibility. If they care for the team at all, they will appoint a team president with a vested interest in the success of the club. Until that happens, it doesn’t matter who is coaching, they will not win.
Tom Anselmi is a business man, not a football guy. This is where the problem lies. His ignorance and rash decision making has plagued this club for some time now. To get football people running the club is the only way to have success. The last thing TFC needs right now is to continue to be run by MLSE management who generally do not know, nor do they care enough about the success of the club. As long as fans are coming out to watch games and the team is generating revenue, management is happy.
The logic behind the majority of management’s decisions is suspect at best. The decision to fire Winter and promote Mariner is the cherry on top of this rather embarrassing revolving door of coaches in place at BMO Field. When Winter was hired, it was understood that he would be given the time to instill his three year plan. The results may not have been there, but it is asking a lot of a coach to turn around a franchise in just one year. Winter’s dismissal accentuates the stubbornness and impatience that exists among the higher ups.
Anselmi was right. Seven wins out of forty-four games is poor. Change was needed. The only difference is it was Anselmi who needed to be dismissed, not Winter.
When Anselmi asked how much responsibility he shoulders for the current state of the club, he said he did feel party responsible. However, seconds later his answer took a full 180 degree turn.
“My job is to put the right people in play, I don’t play, I don’t coach, I don’t do any of that stuff.”
At a time when the club needs management to take accountability, Anselmi’s reluctance to take responsibility is more than concerning. His incompetence is plaguing this team. Fans have every right to be upset with management so quick to point fingers.
As if this was not already concerning enough to the TFC faithful, the decision to promote Mariner is illogical. First off, Anselmi made it clear no other candidates were considered to replace Winter. Apparently Mariner was their clear cut, number one choice. That’s interesting, because eighteen months ago, TFC passed on hiring Mariner in favor of Aron Winter. Why pass up on the guy you wanted all along? Clearly something is off here.
Now the million dollar questions is, if they passed up on Mariner before, what makes him the right choice now? The move reeks of desperation. They made the decision just for the sake of change. How often does that work out for teams, change for the sake of change? Never.
For the fans that have supported this team through thick and thin over the course of seven years, would you at least hope there would be more thought and deliberation put into a decision like this, the seventh coaching change in six years? But there wasn’t, plain and simple. Not only did management not consider any other candidates, but they went with a guy who they passed up on eighteen months ago.
The guy they passed up on is Paul Mariner, former England international who spend the bulk of his playing career in Ipswich Town. Mariner is no stranger to the MLS, spending 2004-2009 as an assistant with the New England Revolution before being hired to take over the management job at Plymouth Argyle midseason with the team in second last place in the Championship. Mariner failed to turn the club around as they were relegated. Mariner left at the end of the season when the club announced they would be looking for a new manager. One week later he was named Director of Player Development for Toronto FC.
As of June 7, 2012, Mariner has been promoted to head coach of Toronto FC.
“I’m ecstatic to be the head coach of this fantastic football club,” said Mariner.
Mariner will have another eight days to spend with his club before they resume MLS play at Kansas City on June 16.
Tom Anselmi seems confident Mariner is the right man for the job.
“Paul’s been around this game a long time, he’s had success in the past,” said Anselmi.
Mariner’s playing career is impressive, but what success has he had as a manager? This is just his second management job with his first one lasting less than a full season. Like I said, Anselmi is a business man, not a soccer guy.
The club will be looking to start fresh in eight days when they travel to Kansas City.
It is the seventh time in the club’s six years of existence that they will be “starting fresh.”
Side note… I would like to wish all the best to Aron Winter in his future endeavors. His time at TFC will not be greatly remembered based on results, but he has left a lasting impression on everyone in the TFC organization and the media. Winter is a smart man and a class act. He was humble and respectful. He always took time to shake hands with the media and offer up a “good afternoon” or “thank you for coming.” His future is bright, but his kind spirited personality and professionalism will be missed in Toronto. Happy travels, Aron.
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