Toronto FC Coach John Carver Resigns

Toronto F.C. manager John Carver resigned on Saturday with the announcement from the club saying the decision was for personal reasons.

Carver spent just over a year in charge of Major League Soccer’s Canadian franchise, but failed to make the playoffs last season after the side posted a 9-13-8 record, bottom in the Eastern Conference. TFC started this season with only two wins in six.

It was well known that Carver was often frustrated with the way things were done in MLS, such as the salary cap and the roster size. He also had several run-ins with referees and the league's disciplinary committee, which most recently fined him $750 for criticizing the officials after the Reds' 3-2 loss to Dallas last weekend.

The change will leave assistant coaches Chris Cummins and Nick Dasovic in charge for Sunday’s match against Kansas City with a decision on who will replace Carver likely to come early next week. The rest of the staff will remain with the club and Carver thinks his former players are in good hands.

“This is a great company to work for and I thank them for the opportunity to be part of this club,” he said in a press release. “The office staff has been wonderful to me as well, and of course the technical staff who I work with day in and day out. The team is in great hands and I know they will all keep working towards our goal of reaching the playoffs.”

TFC are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference on eight points, but could climb as high as first with a win over the Wizards.

Speculation about where Carver, a former assistant at EPL side Newcastle, will land is already hinting at a return to St. James' Park, where new manager Alan Shearer may want to bring in a Newcastle stalwart.

Goal.com

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