"So this is christmas, and what have you done?" Well, that's a good question John Lennon, and as far as TFC's concerned, the answer is depressingly little. Jürgen Klinsmann's talk of appointing a coach by Christmas is clearly not going to happen, so the milestones will keep on coming. It's now been:
- 101 days since Mo and Preki were fired, with Earl Cochrane and Nick Dasovic's "interim" reigns started.
- 94 days since 2011 season ticket renewal emails were sent out, with all the price increases and extra games that fans would surely lap up.
- 87 days since we lost against San Jose and it became clear the firings weren't going to motivate a run for the playoffs. That game also saw De Ro's cheque signing gesture, anything happened with his contract negotiation yet? Didn't think so.
- 84 days since we were knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League, a crowd of 10,581 for a huge game in the only competition we still had a chance in exposed Tom Anselmi's bullish "supply and demand" talk as laughable.
- 72 days since the "royal screw up" was admitted to and the apologies and townhall meetings started.
- 69 days since the supporter protests reached their apex at the last home game of the season.
- 63 days since a further apology email was sent out with news of the free home opener and a price freeze for 2012, as well as a promise that We're working hard to assemble a management team that is second to none in Major League Soccer. We are looking for leadership that will establish the vision for this team and create a winning culture so that Toronto FC will consistently compete for a championship.
- 62 days since the 2010 regular season ended.
- 51 days since Jürgen Klinsmann and SoccerSolutions were officially announced as helping out, fully 50 days after the Mo/Preki firing.
- 41 days since Klinsmann attended a press conference to explain his role, only another 10 days gone by, what's the hurry.
And then....nothing. The odd rumour floating about, the Sportsnet interview when the "new coach by Christmas" line was thrown out, an occasional tweeted tease from Paul Beirne about managerial candidates, and that's it. Though Tom Anselmi does basically tell us "It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid" in this article
In the meantime, many players have been released, the expansion draft and re-entry draft have come and gone, all under the control of Earl Cochrane, and all we've got to show for it is Nathan Sturgis for a first round pick, and a third round pick for Nane Joseph.
The appointments of this "second to none" management team are crucial for the long term future of Toronto FC, and maybe the fact it's taking so long is a good sign, but it just seems like the club is drifting along and my optimism that it will work out well is diminishing by the day. When should supporters hope to have appointments made? In time for the NCAA Superdraft? In time for the pre season trip to Turkey to check out European based triallists? I'd like to think we'd have someone in place soon in order to be able to have a full and settled squad for the start of the season for once, but that's looking less and less likely.
"So here it is merry Christmas, everybody's having fun. Look to the future now, it's only just begun" Wise and unavoidable (in Britain at least) Christmas words from Noddy Holder and Slade. I wish I could look to the future Noddy, I wish I could, but 101 days and counting and it still hasn't bloody begun yet.
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