Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Toronto FC fired coach Aron Winter on Thursday
and replaced him with Paul Mariner.
Winter took over TFC in January 2011, but a poor first season was followed by
nine successive losses to open 2012. Despite a win in his last match, 1-0 over
the Philadelphia Union, Winter had just seven wins in 44 games with Toronto.
"We've played well enough in a number of regular season games this year, but
the results haven't been there and that's where it matters most and ultimately
we felt that necessitated a change," said Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
executive VP and COO Paul Anselmi.
"Seven wins in 44 games is just not good enough in this league and we had to
make a change."
The 59-year-old Mariner, Toronto's Director of Player Development, joined TFC
the same day Winter was hired. He was previously an assistant coach with the
New England Revolution from 2004-09, helping the Revs reach three MLS Cups. He
also coached Plymouth Argyle in England from 2009-10.
"I'm a very modest man," Mariner said, "but I've got unbelievable confidence
in my own ability. I know exactly what I'm doing in training this week. I know
exactly what the team will be next weekend, barring injuries, I know how we're
going to play.
"It's almost written what's going to occur. I can't wait to get started."
Toronto, which is 1-9-0 this season, returns to league action June 16 against
Sporting Kansas City.
The Sports Network