With the recent signing of Predrag (Preki) Radosavlijevic, Mo Johnston finally got one right when it comes to hiring a head coach for TFC.
I’ve been noting for over a year that TFC needed a head coach with: 1) experience, and preferably MLS experience and 2) a proven winning record. Neither Carver or Cummins had this. Preki on the other hand has an impressive 40-29-21 record as head coach. In addition to his MLS experience as a head coach, Preki has also played in the Premiership (Everton and Portsmouth), in the MLS (Kansas City and Miami- twice winning the MLS MVP award) and the World Cup.
Is Preki perfect? No. He is 0 for 6 as a head coach in the playoffs. Is this a concern? Sure, a minor concern. I’d prefer Bruce Arena. But, he’s not available, and what TFC needed was a good competent coach, not the perfect head coach.
Under both Carver and Cummins I questioned what “system” TFC were using. Frankly, it appeared there was no system. Preki has made it very clear that he has a specific system. This system will start with good defence and every player on the squad will know his role within the system, which will be played as a 4-4-2. The players are going to be on board with the system or they aren’t going to be playing for TFC. This is the opposite of what TFC had for the past few seasons- which was a bunch of individuals whose occasional bouts of ability resulted in some good results, but for the most part inconsistency and no clear team vision aside from: “Our goal is to make the playoffs”.
TFC has some good players currently. Some changes will be made to mould the squad into Preki’s vision. Once this happens, and with Preki at the helm, my prediction for next season is TFC will make the playoffs with 45 points, and something similar to the following record: 12-9-9.
