TORONTO (AP) — Toronto FC fired manager Ryan Nelsen on Sunday.
Greg Vanney, head of TFC Academy, was selected as Nelsen’s replacement. Jason Bent has been offered a position to remain with club, while five other assistants were let go.
Nelsen and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko were reportedly at odds with the rookie GM flexing his muscle in the wake of news that MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke, a champion of Nelsen and the team, is planning to leave.
“The team obviously not only did not play well but we really didn’t show up,” Leiweke told The Canadian Press in an interview. “And people pay good money to come see these games.”
The 9-9-6 team, while ravaged with injuries to Jermain Defoe and key defenders, was fourth going into Sunday with a chance at the playoffs for the first time. The top five in each division advance to the postseason.
The coaching announcement came one day after a poor showing in a 3-0 loss to the visiting New England Revolution.
“We are in a results-oriented business,” Bezbatchenko told a news conference Sunday at the team’s north Toronto training facility. “And over the past 13 matches, we’ve won three games. More important for our fans in Toronto, we’ve won one game in the past six matches … I know we can get more out of this group of guys.”
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