Five possible candidates to replace John Herdman as Canadian men’s head coach

With the news that John Herdman has left the Canadian men’s national team for Toronto FC, it leaves the program with a huge decision to make.

Not only is there a home World Cup in 2026, but there are pivotal Nations League quarterfinals in November. Winning that two-legged tie would book Canada a spot at the 2024 Copa América, meaning more possible dates against elite countries that the national team craves.

However, the current state of the federation — including financial strains — may narrow Canada Soccer’s search for the next coach. But there are still a few realistic candidates who could be targeted by Canada Soccer.

Bobby Smyrniotis

This might be Canada’s best bet for ticking all of its boxes.

As manager and sporting director of Forge FC, Bobby Smyrniotis won three Canadian Premier League titles and guided the Hamilton-based club to the Concacaf Champions League — a first for a CPL team — after a successful Concacaf League semifinal run in 2021. Therefore, it’s safe to say that Smyrniotis is familiar with the rigours of away games in Concacaf.

Tactically, Smyrniotis is one of the best Canadian coaches when it comes to his soccer IQ. His in-game changes and ability to evolve his system over the years are unparalleled in the CPL, and he clearly relishes a tactical challenge.

As for maintaining harmony in the squad, Smyrniotis coached various members of the team during their youth at Sigma, where he helped develop the likes of Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan and Richie Laryea.

The fact that Smyrniotis has those relationships among the squad already, coupled with his tactical acumen and knowledge of the Canadian soccer landscape, makes him an ideal candidate.

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Mauro Biello

The now-interim coach of the men’s national team could end up with the permanent job.

Having worked closely with Biello in two men’s national team camps, I can confidently say he’s a tactically intelligent and detail-oriented coach who can pick up where Herdman left off.

Being on Herdman’s staff for five years and helping recruit dual nationals only bolsters his odds. Biello will already be familiar with the squad and the inner workings of Canada Soccer, which means far less stress for everyone involved.

Pa Modou Kah

This appointment would be fairly surprising, if only because Pa Modou Kah has only been a head coach just once — with Pacific FC in the CPL.

But his tenure at Pacific was highly successful. The Tridents are the only club not named Forge FC to win the North Star Shield since the league’s inception in 2019. Kah’s high-octane, high-pressing system would make sense for this youthful group of Canadian players, too.

Kah is also similar to Herdman in that he’s a motivational coach and was seen as a father figure to many of Pacific’s players. That ability to manage a specific individual is valuable.

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Thomas Christiansen

This one might be tougher to pull off. Thomas Christiansen recently signed a new contract with Panama until the end of this World Cup cycle and breaking that contract may cost Canada Soccer a pretty penny.

But it would be worth every cent. Christiansen nearly guided Panama to the 2022 World Cup playoff, and he reached the Concacaf Nations League semifinal — where they lost to Canada — and the Concacaf Gold Cup final this summer, falling to a late winner against Mexico.

Considering Panama only has one player in Europe’s top-five leagues, it makes Christiansen’s work all the more impressive.

Tactically, Christiansen has frustrated the region’s top opponents, including Canada, and will surely relish the opportunity to work with more talent. He also played in La Liga and the Bundesliga, so he’d identify with the players in that regard.

Wilfried Nancy

Like Christiansen, Wilfried Nancy is under contract but he’d also be a solid hire if the money works.

Nancy joined the Columbus Crew after the 2022 MLS season having spent two solid years with CF Montreal. He coached Canadian internationals like Kamal Miller, Alistair Johnston and Samuel Piette, and instilled a proactive 3-4-3 system with lots of width via patient buildup from the back.

Now Nancy has brought that to Columbus while giving opportunities to Canadians such as Mo Farsi and Jacen Russell-Rowe. He also brought Ismael Kone through the ranks in Montreal, who is now one of Canada’s most important players.

The fact that Nancy is a French speaker and holds a Canadian passport only makes him a more promising candidate.

Peter Galindo is one of Canada’s leading soccer journalists, with bylines for Sportsnet and MLS while co-hosting Northern Fútbol, a Canadian soccer-centric podcast, which you can subscribe to on Apple, Spotify and other platforms. He also has worked as a performance analyst for the Canadian men’s national team.

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