.Toronto FC fires Paul Mariner, appoints QPR's Ryan Nelson head coach On January 7, Toronto FC fired their seventh head coach, Paul Mariner, and appointed EPL Queens Park Rangers' defender Ryan Nelsen new head coach of the struggling club, who have yet to reach the playoffs leading into their seventh season. That's right. Nelsen is Toronto FC's eighth coach in its seven years operating as an MLS club. Mariner was hired as head coach in June 2012, replacing Aron Winter. Nelsen, a 35 year-old from New Zealand, played for new Toronto FC president and GM Kevin Payne at D.C. United. Coming out of Stanford University, Nelsen signed with United in 2001. In 2005, he joined EPL Blackburn Rovers, where he made 200 appearances before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2012, and then to Queens Park Rangers. Nelsen has 49 caps for New Zealand. Also on Monday, Toronto FC announced that technical director Bob de Klerk left the club by mutual agreement. De Klerk had been with the club since January 2011.
thats a bit harsh dont you think. this is a guy who has done nothing but work his arse off for this club and wants to go on and better himself.
Understand the anger as he has been nothing less than a stalwart this Season and always stood out as a beacon of both commitment and playing ability. However, he was only brought in on a one year contract, no extension has been offered and he's in his mid thirties. He probably never immagined having to play so many games at full tilt where he was effectively holding the defence, come to think of it none of us thought he'd playing as much for us and be as important to us as he has been. Completely understand his viewpoint to secure his mid term future and although he cannot be termed a legend, will remember him fondly as a true pro who did his very best. On a side note, trust fully that Harry will get the right players in, maybe we'll get an even better slightly younger and quicker Nelsen heh! Chin up - The Great Escape is on!!!
Fair comment, mate........................... Out of the frying pan, into the fire! They have had more managers than seasons! Didn't know that Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore were the owners over there.
If he has no let out in his contract we shouldn't let him go. Sign just for a year then he needs to do his year, end of story.
No smoke without fire. While I agree he has been a bright spot in a very poor squad this season he leaves us still bottom of the table and with a gaping hole in a defence that had only recently learnt what the term 'clean sheet' actually meant. He is deserting a sinking ship like a rat and should be condemned for it.
Whatever way you look at it, and no matter how well he's done for us this season, he's walked halfway through his contract and left us in the lurch, opting for a cushy little number overseas. I've lost all respect for him. Did we even get a fee for him?
Can't help the feeling that if you accept a 1 yr contract then maybe leaving after only half of it is a bit sly but, part of me wishes him well. I'll know more by the end of the season. We can't escape the fact the squad is held together string and sticky tape. Come on 'Arry give us some good news.
Posted my thoughts on my blog but will copy n paste to here http://quitepossiblyraving.wordpress.com/ : There appears to be quite a divergence of opinion regarding the imminent move of Ryan Nelsen to Toronto Football Club. Whilst some on twitter seem to berate him as a traitor who has the audacity to leave his struggling club mid-season, others think of him as a player who gave his all in every game, and presumably told the club about his ambition when he signed. Iâll be shocked if there isnât a manager release clause in Nelsenâs contract; and if there is, how can we blame him? Is it his fault that the club has become reliant upon a 35 year old who apparently âplays on his ownâ? It might well be the case that this move spurs (pun intended) Harry to think very seriously about the centre-back position, which might in turn leave us better off in the long run. Iâm not sure Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen would be suitable for the rest of the year, let alone next. Having defended him, I would be lying if I said that this doesnât hurt. Nelsen isnât a legend as some have said, but I believe he had the opportunity to become one. If he had captained us to safety this year, he would have gone down as a hero who put his all in for the Râs when it looked like very few others would. To leave us now â to turn his back on us according to some â certainly ensures he wonât go down as a hero or legend. Instead, the best we can say is that he was a player who put his very best in when he was with us, however a short a stay his was; no one can take that away from him. I for one wish Ryan the very best for his future career in management and donât begrudge him for leaving; it would, however, have been very nice if he had decided to stay.
OOH Adel I'd respect you more than ever if you left us to go and play for Morocco. What an upstanding guy you are. Hypocrite
Will turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as good as he's been we will not stay up with a centre back pairing of Hill and Nelson for the remainder of the season, too old and too slow. This will force our hand to bring in a quality centre back.
Nice rational post with the correct amount of emotional context IMO. With such a well balaanced view, you must be a politician! Anyway, COYRss!!!!!!!!!!!!, with or without Ryan Nelsen.
