Herdman brings stability to chaotic culture of Canada Soccer

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/06/2023 (811 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of the luxuries of having a competitive national men’s soccer team is that we can ask big-league questions without sounding ridiculous.

“Should this prospect or that earn a call up?” “Might the next opponent be better contained by a three- or four-man defence?” “How can we properly accommodate star players who might’ve played both Champions League and domestic football overseas before the international break?”

Or, as is being asked more and more of the Canada setup: “Has the manager brought the program as far as he can take it?”

It’s a query not all intended as a slight against John Herdman. Few figures have done as much for the sport in this country as the coach from Consett, England. With the men seemingly stalled out and his tenure in its sixth year, however, it’s also reasonable to wonder if he hasn’t done as much as he can for this group.

If the answer is “yes,” then it’s natural the follow-up question inquires whether or not he be removed; and if so, in whose favour?

Examined another way, there are basically three questions within the one: “Has Herdman topped out?” “Should he be sacked?” “Who might replace him?”

In order, the answers are “yes”, “no” and “it’s redundant.”

Regarding the first, the evidence is indisputable. Canada have been quite noticeably outcoached in big matches, whether against Croatia in the World Cup or the United States in last weekend’s Nations League final.

The Croatia showdown, in which Herdman gifted his opposite number a pre-game motivational speech by making some careless comments, was especially revealing.

His two-man central midfield was comprehensively shredded, and it didn’t help that 39-year-old Atiba Hutchinson – having played mere minutes in several months – simply couldn’t keep up with the play. Stephen Eustaquio, meanwhile, was already carrying a hamstring injury and had signalled to the bench 10 minutes before finally being substituted.

Granted, participation in major competitions will inevitably put a Canadian head coach in over his head from time to time – unless that head happens to belong to Pep Guardiola, which won’t be the case anytime soon. Yet, there are certain things within his control, no matter the circumstances.

Loyalty, for one, has little place at World Cups, harsh as it sounds. Hutchinson, despite his previous exploits, should never have started a match in Qatar. Likewise, player power just doesn’t belong at international level. Alphonso Davies, for example, had no business taking the penalty against Belgium. It’s admirable he wanted to, but Herdman should’ve had a hierarchy in place for such scenarios.

As to the second answer, Herdman should absolutely not be sacked, and the fact is he won’t be anytime soon. If it seems contradictory, it’s really not – because it has nothing to do with performances on the pitch.

In practicality, who would even make the decision? Canada Soccer president Charmaine Crooks? A board of directors with little expertise and even less credibility? No chance. Herdman’s position is as secure as he wants it to be, though his winter revelation that he’d already been sounded out by other employers suggests his exit, when it comes, will be on his terms.

Besides, even if Canada Soccer were stable enough to conduct a hiring process there is nothing to suggest they’d do it with any semblance of competence.

Consider their appointments over the last four World Cup cycles.

Both Dale Mitchell and Stephen Hart were company men and oversaw embarrassing regression. Colin Miller, Tony Fonseca and Michael Findlay stepped up for brief interim roles, Benito Floro somehow went a calendar year without a win, and Octavio Zambrano’s teams scored 11 goals in seven games before Herdman was transferred from the women’s program.

The organization cannot be trusted to make judgments directly affecting actual matches. Certainly not now, what with its lurching from one controversy to the next and its schedule interspersed with subpoenas to parliamentary committees.

Herdman, as a result, remains an asset to the Canadian men, if for no other reason than he knows how to navigate the nonsense.

The 47-year-old recently revealed the country’s coaches actually fundraised their flights to Qatar. He also called out Canada Soccer for providing only three preparation days ahead of the Nations League semi-final against Panama. His meticulous planning continues to compensate for the governing body’s inability to literally plan flight routes and bus schedules.

In a purely coaching context, he should probably be adjudicated on his side’s tournament-season results. With the Nations League already lost, the Gold Cup – starting Saturday (all matches on OneSoccer/FuboTV) – would otherwise be make or break for him.

That, however, is not the reality, as much as Canadian fans might want an all-out push to the next level.

For better or worse in footballing terms, Herdman isn’t going anywhere. Which, in the bigger picture, is actually a good thing. For the moment, he, more than anyone else, fulfils what’s necessary on the men’s managerial CV: someone who’s a fighter and a planner and who knows how to work around Canada Soccer’s ineptitude.

We’re not at the point where the job description outlines strategy, experience and tactical nous.

On second thought, we’re not so big league after all.

jerradpeters@gmail.com

Twitter @JerradPeters