The 2023 Major League Soccer season saw a record 9 clubs decide to make a change at Head Coach. Some of these clubs decided to hire outside of the conventional pool of candidates, and the new kids on the touchline this season for these MLS clubs are very promising. With names ranging from seasoned Ex English Premier League managers, to coaches who are in their first head coaching jobs, the new managers on MLS benches this season are in for a wild ride. As someone who one day hopes to grace the MLS touchline, whenever I sit down to watch a match, either live or on TV, I like to watch what goes on in the technical area, for more than one reason. Personally, I’m intrigued by the communication that takes place on the bench between a head coach and his assistants, and I love to watch them talk strategy. Today, I hope to highlight the three new managers that I am most excited to watch this MLS season, not just from who they are as football coaches, but additionally who they are as leaders and as people. Ill be dividing these into 3 separate articles.

Born: 19 July 1975

Place of Birth: Consett, County Durham, England

Previous Teams: New Zealand(Women) 2006-2011, Canada(Women) 2011-2018, Canada(Men) 2018-2023

Coaching Staff: Eric Tenllado(Assistant Coach & Performance Lead) Robyn Gale (Performance and Wellness Coach) Simon Eaddy (Goalkeeper Coach) Jason deVos (Assistant Coach) Terry Dunfield (Assistant Coach) Alex Dodgshon(Scouting and Analytics Coach) Peter Galindo (Performance Analyst)

After Toronto terminated seasoned manager Bob Bradley last season, they turned to a man who had never been a club coach before, but who had turned around the fortunes of Canada Soccer on both the men’s and women’s sides. After matchday 4 of the season, John Herdman and Toronto FC see themselves firmly in fourth place in the Eastern conference, having 7 out of 12 possible points, and with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Bob Bradley’s Toronto lined up in a traditional 4-3-3. With the 4-3-3 relying on players on the outside creating attacking opportunities for those on the inside, and the inconsistencies in personnel from week to week, Toronto FC found themselves on the bottom of the eastern conference, and absent from the playoffs.

When Herdman was hired, he implemented the attacking style of football consistently seen at his previous international sides. His Toronto Reds have lined up in a 3-4-2-1 and have been worlds different from the very defensive minded teams that Toronto FC have put out in the past. The 3-4-2-1 system was pioneered by Dutch manager, Johan Cruyff and centers on overloading the opposition midfield, and attacking heavily. When Bob Bradley was the main man on the Toronto Bench, he struggled using the talents of his side, or adapting his tactical system to the talents that his players exhibited. Herdman came in, implemented a different version of attacking football that was commonplace in his Canadian National Team sides, and played to the strengths of his players. Toronto FC’s attack is anchored by Bernadeschi in the attacking midfield, Lorenzo Insigne and Matty Longstaff in the attack and supporting striker, Prince Owusu. One of the things that have turned around Toronto FC’s fortunes has been the increased buyin from their star players Federico Bernadeschi and Lorenzo Insigne. In an interview given recently(which I remember watching but cannot find to cite) either Bernadeschi or Insigne spoke about their relationship with Herdman, “I text him more than my wife.” Last season’s Toronto FC didn’t exhibit the togetherness that this seasons side does, which has translated to their success on the pitch.

From a leadership side, John Herdman has valued unity and communication. One of these ideas is found in the fact that John Herdman wears an airpod on the sideline, when most head coaches don’t. This season, most communication from various members of the technical staff happens via Airpods. 99% of the time, the use of Airpods during a match is most commonly worn by assistant coaches, analysts, and athletic trainers. In an interview given to CBS Sports Golazo, Herdman said “We have our Analysts up top who are gathering sort of data and statistics that just help me understand physically where the players are at.” During a matchday, the communicational hierarchy goes from performance analyst in the technical booth, to assistant coach on the bench, to the head coach. With Herdman conscienciously choosing to loop himself into the communication pathway himself, it shows him taking the initiative to bridge the gap between the members of his technical coaching staff, thus allowing himself and his team to make data driven informed decisions.

Herdman and his personality exhibit the style of football that he implements across the various teams he has coached in his career. During his 2022 World Cup Campaign with the Canadian Mens National Team, Herdman cemented himself as public enemy number one in Croatia, with him saying that they were going to go “F*** Croatia” in their final match of the group stage. Herdman is a very passionate and engaging coach, who values playing an attacking and courageous style of football. Every player that plays for him has loved his leadership and coaching. I am very excited to see John Herdman and what he has in store for Toronto FC. Even though we are early on in the season, I am optimistic for whats to come from John Herdman. Toronto FC fans should trust that their new gaffer will produce results. He is a proven winner, and I am excited to see where he takes Toronto.