Photo by ISIphotos.com
Toronto FC has tried and failed for three straight years to make the playoffs, so finding a coach capable of getting the club over that hurdle was vital this winter. TFC has found just such a coach in one of the most sought-after coaching prospects in American soccer.
Toronto FC is set to hire Preki as the club's fourth head coach, sources told SBI on Friday. Preki would take over for former interim head coach Chris Cummins, who was not retained after taking over for former head coach John Carver. Preki and TFC have yet to finalize a contract, but a deal is expected to be reached in the coming days.
Preki's arrival in Toronto will reunite him with former Kansas City Wizards and Everton teammate Mo Johnson, TFC's director of soccer. Johnston stated that he wanted to bring in a head coach who understood MLS and Preki brings one of the best resumes around when it comes to MLS.
A former MVP and MLS Cup winner as a player, Preki guided Chivas USA to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach, though the team did lose in the first round each season.
Preki had been believed to be a candidate to take over as Chicago Fire head coach, but the Fire's continued success under current coach Denis Hamlett removed that move as an option.
One interesting sub-plot surrounding Preki's hiring is how it will affect Toronto FC midfielder Amado Guevara. Preki traded Guevera from Toronto after he and Guevara had a falling out during Guevara's brief time with Chivas USA in 2007. With Toronto FC having so many quality midfield options, including Julian DeGuzman, Dwayne DeRosario, Sam Cronin and Carl Robinson, Guevara could be traded this winter.
What do you think of this development? Think Preki is the man to turn things around in Toronto? Can you see TFC being a playoff team and potential title contender in 2010?
Share your thoughts below.
Good marketing to the Serbian community… Toronto has a huge Serbian community. In fact, one of the best supported clubs in the Canadian Soccer League is called the Serbian White Eagles FC, based in Toronto. Its the most organized Serbian club-soccer based outside of Serbia.
With his Serbian heritage, Preki might be able to develop some sort of development partnership with the Serbian White Eagles FC
Well, I guess if it’s true than that’s one less candidate to replace Denis Hamlett.
Makes sense. Good to see one of the best supported teams in MLS get one of the best pros in the league to lead them. Preki’s Chivas side raised the bar for MLS defense in terms of discipline, cohesiveness and consistency and his teams rarely came out flat, even if they didn’t always match up in terms of talent. Maybe he isn’t the most cuddly, media-friendly guy but who cares. MLS needs more performance and less “personality” anyway.
Preki Radosavljevic in Toronto !!
Wow…what a move. What a great coach. Guevara and Preki feuded at times. Guevara was good at times and very mediocre in half the games. Preki wont stand for this. I like Amado but if he doesn’t get with the program Preki will not hesitate one bit to get rid of him or any other player on the team that does not bleed red or give 110% on the field. What has Guevara done since leaving Chivas and what has Preki done? Preki wins hands down. Having Preki as our coach would be unbelievable. I for one welcome this move. I don’t even know why he would come to Toronto…must be the large contingent of Serbians living in TO! Preki is a naturalized American born in Serbia! I just hope MO knows how to stay out of Preki’s way. Preki don’t take no crap from anybody…which is why he is a proven winner and one of the top 3 coaches in MLS. All for One!!
I’m not a TFC fan, MLS fan, and I think this is excelent for Toronto, is a team with talent, Preki is the guy they need. Prepare to see tfc in playoff 2010. I think is perfect for toronto or DC. Good luck TFC!
Preki is a terrific choice. He has a great grasp of the game and how to motivate and get the most out of players.
Preki is also not afraid to make the changes he feels are necessary. I have no doubt he is his own man.
All this bodes well for TFC next season.
Another reason to hate TFC…Now they have this sore loser
As long as he can crack down on the sh*te going on, and can make the good ship Toronto Red sail right into the right sea lanes towards the promised land — I’m a happy chappy.
This is probably a very good move. Preki runs a no-nonsense ship and he’ll correct the defensive deficiencies that TFC has always had. That said, the single biggest issue for TFC is MoJo. He interferes, he constantly swaps players (regardless of chemistry issues or attempts to build cohesion). If Preki can stand up to him–great! If not, than the problems will likely continue.
Guevara —> Houston
toronto fc’s gain chicago fire’s loss chivas what on earth are you thinking. tfc get your playoff tickets for 2010 this guy is a true winner
If Preki is going to get rid of Guevera, then no Preki needs to go.
MLS – Being MLSE (Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment) – the board….
This looks like a great move for TFC – Great experience (playing and coaching) plus an established and positive relationship with Mo. The wild card for me is MLS support (moral and $$$) to move this franchise to the next level. I doesn’t all happen on grass…. See you in the stands next year (hopeful as ever).
Agreed. Was hoping he would join up with Bradley.
News flash! Bradley hasn’t been involved with Chivas USA in three years, yes, that’s THREE YEARS.
Give preki credit.
I’d make a point of keeping Attakora …
rest can be dropped in the middle of the Pacific on a poorly made raft…
James is very on point. Preki has alot to offer.
He will ideally clean house (im a fan of Guevara but at this point i think we have enough that can play his position, he has other priorities, rightfully so), ideally pressure Mo to bring in needed players (we need at least 2 CBs, 2 Wingers and a striker), if that is not accomplished he will call Mo out on it (he seems the type) and will organize a team. As to whether this will happen has yet to be seen.
Great News if its the real thing?
This coach has way of making something out so-so teams into play-off teams.
How did Preki cause the power outtages at Home Depot Center during the LA Galaxy v Houston Dynamo game and be in Toronto at the same time? Thay guy is a sneaky one I tell you. 🙂
Preki and Johnston go back, having played at Kansas City, so I’m not sure about this appointment should it come to pass.
Preki is an accomplished coach, there’s no question. But the biggest problem in the TFC dressing room is that Johnston insists on meddling and undermining the head coach. How else can you explain Nick Garcia seeing so much playing time? And how the club treat Danny Dichio? Apparently, the issues run deeper still…
If Preki can keep Mo at bay and get the players on his side, then he’ll do well. If he becomes nothing more than Johnston’s drill sergeant, then we’ll see further strife in an already divided dressing room.
No coaching appointment on its own will solve the problems in this team. Johnston is the cancer and he needs to be removed.
FRICK! I guess that means USA won’t be hiring him.
I just hope we don’t get stuck with Soehn!
if Guevara is gone I will be very sad, he has been my favourite player over the past 2 years
Great choice. His first moves will be to get rid of the entire backline and Guevara.
Guevara was probably gone anyway, his mind is on WC2010. Welcome to Toronto, Preki. Hopefully your defensive tactics will work with some of the goofballs we have on the back line.
While this would be a good hire, let’s not pretend that a new coach is the answer to Toronto’s problems. We’re still saddled with strikers who can’t finish and defenders who can’t defend.
Bringing Preki in would be a good start, but there will still be a ton of work to do to make this team a contender.
i still think preki has a lot to prove. the core parts to the chivas was put together by Bradley. Also, would this be the end of Amado Guevarra in Toronto? preki and guevarra went at it in Chivas a few years ago.
Bye Bye Guevara.. 🙁
This is awesome news! It is about time TFC got a real coach