Following a 3-0 defeat to New England Revolution, Toronto FC announced in a press conference the firing of their coaching staff. This includes manager Ryan Nelsen. Nelsen announced the firing in advance to Toronto media, The Canadian Press. Toronto FC Academy head coach Greg Vanney will be Nelsen's replacement.
Ryan Nelsen took the reins of manager after finishing out his playing career with newly promoted Queens Park Rangers of the English Premier League. Nelsen declined to go into personal details of the decision. He was on route to leading the team to its first playoff appearance in franchise history.
The firing came after Ryan Nelsen's press conference after their Saturday matchup against the New England Revolution.
Following the firing of the coaching staff, star player Jermaine Defoe said that he wants out of Toronto FC. Queens Park Rangers have reportedly made an $11 million offer for the striker, but nothing has been made official yet. Jermaine Defoe went to the organization in the middle of his spell with Tottenham Hotspur, along with USMNT and ex-Roma midfielder, Michael Bradley. With both players joining the team, they estimated sum of both players was $100 million.
Ryan Nelsen was in his second year as manager of the team. The team had a 9-9-6 record heading into the last 10 games of the 2014 regular season. Nelsen was one win away from matching the highest wins (10) in a single season for the franchise. Nelsen carries a 15-26-17 record with him as he departs. None of the other seven coaches Toronto FC has had picked up more wins than Ryan Nelsen.
Interim manager Greg Vanney will take over duties, and will make his MLS coaching debut Wednesday, September 3, 2014 when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union. Then will make his home coaching debut Saturday, September 6th, when they host Philadelphia Union.