Anyone who has visited snowy Canada at this time of year knows that the locals do not welcome the cold season with open arms, making it all the more ironic that Toronto FC have named former Holland international Aron Winter as their new head coach. But while Torontonians might not like winters, they will throw their full support behind the Dutchman.
Winter does not arrive with vast experience in the dugout – a stint as an assistant at Ajax is the only job on his coaching resume – but as a player for Ajax, Lazio and Inter Milan, he showed the attributes required to lead Toronto FC into the MLS post-season for the first time in their short history. The Dutchman was a shrewd midfield ball-winner who was disciplined and composed in equal measure. There is every reason to think he will be just as focused and successful as a manager.
The Ajax stalwart is a proven winner, with a cabinet full of honours, including the UEFA Cup, the Dutch Eredivisie and the 1988 European Championships with Holland. He played alongside some of the all-time greats – Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit to name just two – and has the authority to pull players into line. With more than 80 international caps, it is no exaggeration to say that Winter has seen it all in the game.
The decision to appoint the Dutchman is the latest sign that Toronto are committed to challenging the top teams in the MLS. It is the club’s second high-profile addition to the set-up in the past three months after Jurgen Klinsmann was appointed as a consultant in November. Winter is just 43, and will bring the type of fearless enthusiasm and drive that only younger managers can.
Winter, who will be supported by former New England Revolution assistant Paul Mariner and former Ajax youth coach Bob De Klerk, arrives with big plans for his new team. “I’m happy to be here,’ he explained. “It’s a progressive city that knows its soccer. People are aware of the Dutch playing Total Football. We want to play a style for Toronto, but it will take time – maybe three years. But we have goals in the meantime.”
Those goals include reaching the post-season for the first time, which is likely to be the main target. Toronto is craving that kind of success after four tough years, in which five managers have taken the reins, and the open nature of the MLS means that no team can be written off. Few would have picked Colorado Rapids to triumph last year, or Real Salt Lake back in 2009. Why not Toronto FC in 2011?
The initial test for Winter is making use of the remaining two months before the new season, which begins away to MLS newcomers Vancouver White Caps. It will be no easy feat, but the former Inter man has been proving people wrong his entire career.
He has some solid performers to build around, but morale was visibly dented towards the end of last year as the strong start to 2010 faded away, leading to the exit of former head coach Preki. Winter’s first task is to ensure that captain and team talisman Dwayne De Rosario remains at the club, and the new coach took a firm stance in opposing Celtic’s bid to take the striker on loan. De Rosario is reportedly unhappy with his current contract in Toronto, but the arrival of Winter should be enough to convince him to spearhead the new era.
Another factor in Winter’s favour is Toronto FC’s home stadium BMO Field, which boasts some of the loudest, most dedicated supporters in the MLS despite the fierce competition for attention in a big sports city. Thierry Henry, no less, praised the atmosphere at BMO Field last year when New York Red Bulls came to Canada.
So, as Winter will have discovered, he has landed in a situation with great potential. Toronto FC fans have proved themselves to be both passionate and knowledgeable, and they saw signs of promise in 2010. Their team will not be transformed overnight but, with Winter calling the shots, there is genuine belief that the club are heading in the right direction. If all goes to plan, it could be a summer to remember in Toronto.
