As I was reading some news on the Toronto FC, I came across this and thought that a similar investment by the TTPL and its affiliates may be proactive in the development and improvement of the quality of our teams, programs, and product for the public. What do others think? are there merits to a similar infusion of outside consultants? I mean after all our government went and hired experts to solve our crime situation.
Toronto FC hires Klinsmann as consultant
CBC News
The worst kept secret in Toronto soccer circles was officially confirmed Wednesday when Toronto FC announced it has retained the services of former German star Jurgen Klinsmann as a consultant.
Klinsmann and his company, U.S.-based consultancy group SoccerSolutions, have been hired as "advisers to Toronto FC as the club reorganizes its soccer infrastructure," the MLS club said in a statement.
Klinsmann will provide a critical analysis of the club's soccer operation, including its youth academy and scouting system, as well as helping the team in its search to hire a new general manager.
"We're honoured to work with a football icon like Jurgen and to have access to his wealth of experience and expertise to evaluate our current operations and support our team's development," said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the MLS team.
The Globe and Mail first reported last Friday that MLSE was negotiating with Klinsmann over a consulting role.
Considering the mess Toronto FC is in, he has quite the job ahead of him.
Toronto FC is mired in trouble, having missed the playoffs this year for a fourth consecutive season. As a result, several of the Reds' supporter groups, including the U-Sector and Red Patch Boys, staged protests over the club's poor play on the field and a proposed hike in the prices for next year's season ticket packages.
The team has also been without a full-time general manager and coach since Sept. 14, when Mo Johnston and Preki were fired. Earl Cochrane has served as interim GM, while Nick Dasovic has filled the void left by Preki.
That MLSE turned to Klinsmann for help hardly comes as a surprise, considering the German's reputation.
Klinsmann, 46, was one of the top strikers in world soccer during the 1980s, playing for a handful of marquee clubs, including Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Tottenham and AS Monaco.
He was a standout for his country's national team, helping Germany win the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 1996 European Championship in England. He served as team captain from 1995 to his retirement in 1998, and scored 47 goals in 108 appearances for Germany.
Klinsmann also coached the German national team from 2004 to 2006, and guided his country to a third-place finish at the World Cup four years ago. After stepping down, he took some time off before resurfacing as coach of Bayern Munich in 2008, but success didn't follow, and he was fired the following year.
It is time for us to be solution focused and proactive for the betterement of all. The divide which exist with the pro league and the TTFF and within different levels of the organization is beggging for some insights as to how to move in a positive direction to best serve all. Let's help our leaders to build capacity and to move forward instaed of living with constant crticism and blaming without looking for positive solutions.