Toronto FC will be introducing Ryan Nelsen as the team’s new head coach today in a press conference being held at BMO Field (10:30am).
The Nelsen hiring, first reported by Soccer By Ives on Monday, comes as a bit of a shock to some, but the link between Nelsen and Toronto FC president Kevin Payne is a strong one from their days at D.C. United. Nelsen helped lead D.C. United to the MLS Cup title in 2004.
Nelsen will be joined on the TFC coaching staff by new assistant Fran O’Leary, who most recently coached on college at Division III Bowdoin.
The biggest development from Tuesday’s press conference is the news that Nelsen will continue playing for Queens Park Rangers for the foreseeable future, with the sense being that he would leave if/when QPR is officially relegated. This means Nelsen could theoretically miss early-season MLS matches. He will not be attending the MLS Combine or the MLS Draft.
Former TFC head coach Paul Mariner was officially let go earlier this morning.
What do you think of this development? See Nelsen succeeding? Think it’s awkward that he will still keep playing for QPR?
Share your thoughts below.