http://www.thescore.ca/blogs/footy/index.asp?name=footy/2008/02/mo_johnston_ste.html "Reports out of Toronto FC this morning state that Mo will go upstairs and new coach will be former Leeds and recent Luton Town coach John Carver. A press conference is pending but we wanted to give you an opportunity to give your feedback as soon as we heard. Tune into the Footy Show tonight at 630pm EST for more details." WOW! Maybe he can sign some players now!
I can't comment on Carver, but I think a number of people would agree that Mo's strengths are in building the team, making trades and drafting players. I see this as a very good move
Carver used to be with Newcastle. If I remember correctly he was an absolutely awful scout, but a good coach.
Good move, Mo is a good "manager" or what we'd call a GM and perhaps not so much as a coach. He's a shrew trader and has a keen eye for young college talent as evident with his drafting. Now he hands the coaching reins to someone more competent - hopefully, Luton were relegated last year from the CCC if i'm not mistaken.
At least Mo can focus on filling out the squad and leave the coaching duties to a full time coach. But seriously - if this is what qualifies as huge news - I'm a lot underwhelmed.
Well I know we were all hoping for news of player signings, but a coaching change is still pretty big news. As well, we have a new role being created on the team which means that Carver can focus on coaching and Mo can focus on building the team.
So anyone now anything about this John Carver guy, like what tactics he likes to use, his track record etc?
I know TFC's new set-up is commonplace in Europe (ie. coach plus 'sporting director' or whatever that deals with signings), but is it commonplace in MLS? Does anyone know?
Carver stepped in for Kevin Blackwell last season for Leeds and struggled. The club was sinking from the beginning of the year so he wasn't dealt a very good hand to begin with. It's hard to say because the last two clubs where he was a manager or asst. manager (Leeds and Luton) have been in dire financial situations. However, he was a part of the club when Leeds went to the playoff final in '06.
Not entirely sure either if it is commonplace in the MLS, however I think this will free up Mo's real gift and that is ultimately player drafting and trading. Great idea. Now lets cross our fingers for John Carver.
I like the move... I think Mo is not a good because he hasn't gotten the best out of his team either through motivation or formation, and has a squad full of underachievers. Even as a general manager who is charged with building the team I have little faith in him, I think he's shortsighted when it comes to searching for players (ie. only Britain), hasn't been able to attract any of the little Canadian talent that does exist. Additonally, he's often rude and arrogant with the media and doesn't take well to criticism... The only thing I can say is that he's a good scout.
Probably a wise move, albeit selfish -- he waited until he'd run out of time to make transfer deadline moves, and this whiffs of blaming the lack of signings on time contstraints, which is b****hit. He lost his entire coaching staff as well, which does not bode well for their confidence in him. I'd say at this point, 'GM Mo' is on the death watch. If he doesn't strengthen the hell out of the team in the next month, we'll probably start hearing things like "he has our complete confidence" from MLSE.
To be fair, most of the current top Canadian talent isn't available, they're busy in Europe or with stronger MLS teams. He should widen his scope beyond Britain, but that's what he knows best right now, hopefully in his new position he'll be able to better assess other places. It's hard to find good talent in Europe or South America that isn't already being pursued by better paying European clubs. I'd suggest he look in places with good talent that are little more off the radar, like Korea. That said, I've always been of the belief that the chef should be the one to select the ingredients, but I'll wait to see how this pans out before passing judgement.
Same thing over here. a 'head Coach' is the same as a manager, while general manager is more like a director, handling finances, acquisitions etc. but working off the coach/manager's blueprint.