John Herdman
John Herdman is an English football manager best known for coaching Canada’s women’s and men’s national soccer teams and later Toronto FC.
John Herdman is an English football manager best known for coaching Canada's women's and men's national soccer teams. He led the women's team to two Olympic bronze medals and the men's team to their first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1986. Herdman later coached Toronto FC in Major League Soccer and was appointed head coach of Indonesia's men's national team in 2026.
Early life and education
John Herdman was born on 19 July 1975 in Consett, County Durham, England. He grew up in Consett and earned coaching qualifications in England before moving into elite football coaching.
Canada women's national team
Herdman became head coach of Canada's women's national team in 2011. Under his leadership, the team won Olympic bronze medals at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games. The team also reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Canada men's national team
In January 2018, Herdman was appointed head coach of Canada's men's national team and men's national director. He oversaw the team's rise to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, marking Canada's first men's World Cup appearance in 36 years.
Toronto FC and Indonesia
Herdman left Canada Soccer in 2023 to become head coach of Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. He resigned from that role in November 2024. In 2026, he took charge of Indonesia's men's national team.
Recognition and controversy
Herdman has been widely credited for his impact on Canadian soccer development and performance. In 2025, Canada Soccer's independent disciplinary process issued him a written reprimand in connection with the drone-surveillance controversy.
Key facts
- Herdman coached Canada's women's national team from 2011 to 2018, winning Olympic bronze in 2012 and 2016.
- He was appointed head coach and men's national director of Canada's men's program in January 2018.
- He led Canada to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country's first men's World Cup appearance since 1986.
- He left Canada Soccer in 2023 to join Toronto FC and resigned from that role in November 2024.
- In 2026, he became head coach of Indonesia's men's national team.
Herdman is a major figure in Canadian soccer history: he coached both the women’s and men’s national teams and helped Canada reach the men’s FIFA World Cup in 2022, while also winning two Olympic bronze medals with the women’s team.
Frequently asked questions
Who is John Herdman?
What did John Herdman achieve with Canada's women's team?
What did John Herdman achieve with Canada's men's team?
When did John Herdman leave Canada Soccer?
What was John Herdman's role at Toronto FC?
What is John Herdman's current coaching role?
References
- Canada Soccer — https://www.canadasoccer.com/profile/1471/john-herdman/Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, coaching background, Canada roles, and major achievements.
- BBC Sport — https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42617838Supports: Appointment as Canada men’s head coach and men’s national director in 2018; prior women’s team success.
- Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/herdman-steps-down-canada-mens-coach-join-toronto-fc-2023-08-28/Supports: Departure from Canada Soccer to join Toronto FC and Canada’s 2022 World Cup participation.
- The Athletic — https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6937319/2026/01/03/john-herdman-indonesia-canada/Supports: Appointment as Indonesia men’s head coach in 2026.
- The Athletic — https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6239874/2025/03/29/canada-john-herdman-disciplinary-hearing-admonishment/Supports: 2025 written reprimand related to the drone-surveillance controversy.