Earlier this month, TFC consultant Jürgen Klinsmann suggested during a Canadian TV interview that a new manager would likely be in place “by Christmas.” However, as we head into the final stretch of 2010, the interim team of Earl Cochrane and Nick Dasovic remains in charge.
And Thursday will mark 100 days since Mo Johnston and Preki were fired.
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Some fans are beginning to worry. There is concern that TFC’s failure to have a management team in place is hampering the club’s ability to sign players.
However, MLSE executive vice president and COO Tom Anselmi preaches patience. He says that it’s most important that TFC make the right hire, not the quick one.
“We continue to focus on finding the right candidate to lead the team and will announce something as soon as possible,” he wrote via e-mail.
At least one MLS expert agrees. Fox Soccer’s Ives Galarcep says that TFC’s manager search has not reached the panic stage just yet.
"It's not unheard of for teams to run their searches for new head coaches well into January, and while it isn't ideal, it can keep from being a handicap if the team has some sort of scouting infrastructure in place," Galarcep said.
Toronto has been active scouting this fall, with Danny Dichio making the rounds during the NCAA tournament.
Galarcep also pointed out that the New York Red Bulls did not announce Hans Backe as the new manager until the week of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The Red Bulls interim management staff ran the draft and were still able to grab Rookie of the Year finalist Tim Ream with the first pick of the second round.
“You could argue that Toronto bought itself some time by trading away its first-round pick, thus placing less emphasis on the draft this time around,” Galarcep said.
Galarcep argues that there isn’t much of a difference between hiring a new manager before Christmas or in late January. As with Anselmi, he says that only matters that the Reds get it right.
“If it's the wrong coach it won't matter when he starts -- look at Ruud Gullit.”