Bob Bradley fired by Toronto FC with MLS side enduring miserable season

26 June 2023 , 15:10

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Bob Bradley has been relieved of his coaching duties by Toronto FC after a torrid start to the season. (Image: Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)

Bob Bradley has been relieved of his duties as head coach of MLS team Toronto FC, with the Canadian franchise having suffered a torrid start to the season.

The decision to sack the former USMNT manager has come after a 2-1 loss against the New England Revolution, which left the team languishing second from bottom of the Eastern Conference. Only Inter Miami, who are soon to welcome Lionel Messi, of course, have a worse record so far this term.

The 65-year-old was appointed back in November 2021 and will depart with a 14-26-19 record, having finished 13th in the Eastern Conference last term. The loss against Bruce Arena's Revs has sparked Toronto FC's owners to make a change, with the defeat against Bradley's old friend and mentor ultimately consigning his fate.

Bradley admitted that his team struggled in New England, stating after the game: "It's never easy to play here, I can always find little plays in terms of being sharper, touches.

"Throughout the game we're not clean and sharp and precise enough in enough moments. I also felt it was a game where we put a lot into it and when we were down we pushed the game hard to get an equalizer."

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Terry Dunfield has now been promoted from his role with the club's academy and has been appointed interim coach following Bradley's dismissal. The former Swansea City boss' assistant coach and club technical director Mike Sorber will also depart the Reds in the wake of the sacking.

The team had gone just under a month without a win, with the last victory coming on May 26 against Wayne Rooney's D.C. United. The latest defeat against the Revs meant that they had won just one game in six and twice in eleven outings.

Wayne Rooney will hope to guide D.C. United to a better finish in the MLS Eastern Conference this season (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

In all, three wins in 20 games in MLS so far this campaign meant that Bradley was facing an uphill battle to keep his job, with the team also in an unfavourable position to reach the playoffs.

Currently, they sit some eight points of ninth placed D.C. United, who occupy the final Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot. Amid their woes, the fixtures keep on coming thick and fast and they face Real Salt Lake at the weekend.

A statement released by Toronto FC read: "Bob [Bradley] has been a consummate professional with Toronto FC and we thank him for his passion and tireless work during his time here. We are all disappointed that we were not able to achieve the results we expected."

Tom Beattie