The Evening Chronicle has a story on the experienced John Carver, who assumes the role as Toronto FC coach after several assistant coaching stints with various clubs in England, including Newcastle United of the English Premiership, where he was assistant to Sir Bobby Robson, and Leeds United of the English League Championship (England’s second division). Carver acted as caretaker manager of both clubs when the head managers were fired, but was overlooked in each instance when the club owners chose a full-time manager. Before being hired by TFC, Carver acted as assistant coach to Kevin Blackwell (also his former boss at Leeds) at struggling Championship side Luton Town.
Carver’s first head coaching opportunity will also be his biggest challenge, as Toronto finished dead last in MLS last season, despite enjoying some of the best support in the league. “A few people have told me that [the fans] are like the Newcastle fans and back their team to the hilt, so that’s a really good thing from my point of view,” Carver said, adding that the club’s ambitious owner, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., was a major reason he decided to take the job. “The whole place is all set up for the big time,” he said. MLSE also owns the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. Carver’s first game in charge will be March 29 away to the Columbus Crew.