Five possible candidates to replace John Herdman as Canadian men’s head coach

With the news that John Herdman has left the Canadian males’s nationwide workforce for Toronto FC, it leaves this system with an enormous choice to make.

Not solely is there a house World Cup in 2026, however there are pivotal Nations League quarterfinals in November. Winning that two-legged tie would e book Canada a spot on the 2024 Copa América, that means extra potential dates in opposition to elite international locations that the nationwide workforce craves.

However, the present state of the federation — together with monetary strains — might slim Canada Soccer’s seek for the subsequent coach. But there are nonetheless a couple of practical candidates who may very well be focused by Canada Soccer.

Bobby Smyrniotis

This is likely to be Canada’s greatest wager for ticking all of its containers.

As supervisor and sporting director of Forge FC, Bobby Smyrniotis received three Canadian Premier League titles and guided the Hamilton-based membership to the Concacaf Champions League — a primary for a CPL workforce — after a profitable Concacaf League semifinal run in 2021. Therefore, it’s secure to say that Smyrniotis is accustomed to the rigours of away video games in Concacaf.

Tactically, Smyrniotis is without doubt one of the greatest Canadian coaches with regards to his soccer IQ. His in-game modifications and talent to evolve his system through the years are unparalleled within the CPL, and he clearly relishes a tactical problem.

As for sustaining concord within the squad, Smyrniotis coached varied members of the workforce throughout their youth at Sigma, the place he helped develop the likes of Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan and Richie Laryea.

The incontrovertible fact that Smyrniotis has these relationships among the many squad already, coupled along with his tactical acumen and information of the Canadian soccer panorama, makes him a perfect candidate.

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Mauro Biello

The now-interim coach of the boys’s nationwide workforce might find yourself with the everlasting job.

Having labored intently with Biello in two males’s nationwide workforce camps, I can confidently say he’s a tactically clever and detail-oriented coach who can decide up the place Herdman left off.

Being on Herdman’s employees for 5 years and serving to recruit twin nationals solely bolsters his odds. Biello will already be accustomed to the squad and the internal workings of Canada Soccer, which suggests far much less stress for everybody concerned.

Pa Modou Kah

This appointment could be pretty shocking, if solely as a result of Pa Modou Kah has solely been a head coach simply as soon as — with Pacific FC within the CPL.

But his tenure at Pacific was extremely profitable. The Tridents are the one membership not named Forge FC to win the North Star Shield for the reason that league’s inception in 2019. Kah’s high-octane, high-pressing system would make sense for this youthful group of Canadian gamers, too.

Kah can be just like Herdman in that he’s a motivational coach and was seen as a father determine to lots of Pacific’s gamers. That potential to handle a particular particular person is effective.

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Thomas Christiansen

This one is likely to be harder to drag off. Thomas Christiansen not too long ago signed a brand new contract with Panama till the top of this World Cup cycle and breaking that contract might value Canada Soccer a reasonably penny.

But it might be price each cent. Christiansen almost guided Panama to the 2022 World Cup playoff, and he reached the Concacaf Nations League semifinal — the place they misplaced to Canada — and the Concacaf Gold Cup ultimate this summer time, falling to a late winner in opposition to Mexico.

Considering Panama solely has one participant in Europe’s top-five leagues, it makes Christiansen’s work all of the extra spectacular.

Tactically, Christiansen has pissed off the area’s high opponents, together with Canada, and can certainly relish the chance to work with extra expertise. He additionally performed in La Liga and the Bundesliga, so he’d establish with the gamers in that regard.

Wilfried Nancy

Like Christiansen, Wilfried Nancy is below contract however he’d even be a strong rent if the cash works.

Nancy joined the Columbus Crew after the 2022 MLS season having spent two strong years with CF Montreal. He coached Canadian internationals like Kamal Miller, Alistair Johnston and Samuel Piette, and instilled a proactive 3-4-3 system with plenty of width through affected person buildup from the again.

Now Nancy has introduced that to Columbus whereas giving alternatives to Canadians akin to Mo Farsi and Jacen Russell-Rowe. He additionally introduced Ismael Kone by the ranks in Montreal, who’s now certainly one of Canada’s most vital gamers.

The incontrovertible fact that Nancy is a French speaker and holds a Canadian passport solely makes him a extra promising candidate.

Peter Galindo is certainly one of Canada’s main soccer journalists, with bylines for Sportsnet and MLS whereas co-hosting Northern Fútbol, a Canadian soccer-centric podcast, which you’ll be able to subscribe to on Apple, Spotify and different platforms. He additionally has labored as a efficiency analyst for the Canadian males’s nationwide workforce.

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