The Canadian men’s national soccer team (CanMNT) head coach John Herdman inherited a struggling soccer program when he joined the Reds in 2018. Despite facing historical roadblocks, Herdman turned a substandard program into one that is admired and loved by fans.
The last and only time CanMNT qualified for the FIFA World Cup was 1986. The decades following are best described as mediocre for the team. CanMNT won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000 and finished third in both the 2002 and 2007 competitions. Canadian soccer fans have frustratingly watched their team fail to qualify for the elusive World Cup for 36 years.
That all ended on March 27, 2022, when Canada qualified for the 2022 Qatar World Cup in a 4-0 victory over Jamaica under Herdman’s leadership.
A World Cup qualification, let alone for the 2022 World Cup, seemed nearly impossible eight years ago when the team was at its lowest level, slipping to a dismal 122nd on the October 2014 FIFA men’s soccer ranking.
When Canada defeated the United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) in January 2022, media asked Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan what had brought about the team’s rise from mediocrity to World Cup Qualification. He answered, “John Herdman. That’s it.”
Many of Borjan’s teammates agree that Herdman was the source of their newfound success, constantly spouting words of praise towards their British boss. After a successful tenure as head coach of Canada’s women’s national team (CanWNT), Herdman left the women’s side to join the Reds as head coach in 2018.
Inheriting a team ranked 94th in the world by FIFA, Herdman was initially astonished at the disunity among his players and sought to bring the team together by having them focus on one goal: Qatar.
Herdman took a troubled team and did what seemed nearly impossible: Take Canada to another World Cup. Not only did Herdman and his Reds qualify, they finished at the top of the CONCACAF table and are currently ranked 38th in the world.
Due to his success with the Reds, Herdman is now on the radar of several British clubs in England’s top divisions just months before the first whistle blow in Qatar.
According to The Mirror’s John Cross, Herdman has piqued the interest of Burnley FC, Blackburn Rovers, and Queens Park Rangers (QPR). Burnley was recently relegated from England’s top division, The English Premier League. Blackburn and QPR sit just below the Premier League in England’s second division, the championship.
If Herdman decides to take the reins of a British club, he would likely leave the CanMNT. The departure of such an influential figure just before the Reds begin their first World Cup in 36 years could be catastrophic.
Team Canada is taking a step into unfamiliar territory. Drawn into Group F, they will play Croatia, Belgium and Morocco—all hoping to advance into the final 16. The Reds have never faced Croatia and last played Belgium in 1989. In 2016, Canada fell 4-0 to Morocco.
Stepping into a tournament that no CanMNT player has experienced, where most opponents are teams CanMNT has never played, familiarity in the managerial department will be an asset.
Herdman turned the squad from a group of mere teammates to a group that “love each other,” according to Stephen Eustàquio. His coaching skills should not be undermined. Herdman has improved players individually and shaped the team’s style of play, turning his side into a threat to other teams.
A World Cup without Herdman, a key aspect of Canada’s success, could hinder the team’s chances of advancing to the group stage.
Sticking with the Reds for the remainder of 2022 isn’t only beneficial for the team, it helps Herdman’s reputation as a coach as well. Having a World Cup tournament under your belt is something many managers can only dream of. This experience would improve his standing as a coach and possibly increase the number and quality of English Premier League clubs interested.
As for after the tournament, it is difficult to predict what Herdman will do. He has spoken about his excitement for the 2026 World Cup, one that Canada could possibly gain automatic entry to as hosts. However, he has yet to comment on the reported interest he has attracted from club teams.
In the meantime, it seems that Herdman and his Reds, who have a friendly match against Iran scheduled for June 5, have their focus set on their opening World Cup game against Belgium on Nov. 23.
There’s no doubt that Herdman and the CanMNT are looking to shock the world by advancing to the knockout rounds of the competition. If there’s any man who can do that it’s Herdman.
Canadian soccer fans can only hope that the man who rebuilt both the men and women’s soccer team, and changed Canada’s attitude towards the sport, will stay in the country he refers to as “home” to lead CanMNT into Qatar.
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Featured image by Spence Colby
