TFC Tidbits: Greg Vanney dispirited by Reds' recent woes

Welcome to TFC Tidbits, a special feature at TFC Republic that curates small bits and pieces of news about what's going on with Toronto FC.

Greg Vanney confident Robin Fraser can turn Reds around

Dec. 1, 2020 will go down as one of the most important dates in Toronto FC history. The club's trajectory irrevocably changed that day when Greg Vanney stepped down as coach of TFC after more than six years on the job.

Toronto FC became a legitimate MLS super power with Vanney at the helm. During his tenure, the club reached three MLS Cup finals (winning in 2017), won three Canadian Championships and a Supporters' Shield, while also finishing runners-up in the Concacaf Champions League final.

But the Reds were unable to maintain the magic since Vanney's departure, failing to make the playoffs four years in a row and consistently ranking among the worst teams in MLS.

Honestly, the last four seasons have been tough to watch for TFC fans, as the team has been a million miles away from the side that Vanney coached during the glory years.

It's also been tough for Vanney to watch from afar. Even though he's the coach of the LA Galaxy and won the MLS Cup last season, he still has a deep connection to Toronto FC and the city, and it pains him to see the Reds struggle the way they have since his departure.

"All of us who have spent the years in Toronto that we did and with the success that we had, we built up relationships with people all around there. We're close to everybody there. So, to see the club go through the struggles and the challenges that it’s had over the last few years, it's definitely saddening and disheartening because we care for those people," Vanney told TFC Republic in a one-on-one interview.

"We care for the fans and all the people that we had this wonderful relationship with during the times that we were there, so it's been difficult to watch."

New coach Robin Fraser was a key assistant on Vanney's coaching staff during his time in charge of TFC. The two were teammates at the LA Galaxy and also worked together as coaches, so Vanney brought in Fraser to Toronto prior to the 2015 season. They've been friends for nearly 30 years and are still in regular contact to this day.

Having known Fraser for so long, Vanney is confident that he can help TFC get back on course as he works in unison with GM Jason Hernandez.

"I think Robin is the right guy, and I believe he is the right guy to help turn this back around and bring the excitement back to the club and the fan base and the city," Vanney said.

"I truly believe Toronto is arguably one of the best markets in all of North America when things are going the right way. I think MLS is better when Toronto is doing great. That market is so special, and so I hope that Robin can get that thing turned around and get moving in the right direction.

"I love Jason. He's a wonderful human being, and I hope that the two of them can be the right combination and to get it going again. I look forward to kind of seeing how this plays out, because I do believe that they can get it going."

NOTE: Check back with TFC Republic next week as we'll publish our full-length Q&A with Greg Vanney.

(Top photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)

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