Circling back on Ryan Nelsen and TFC … and what the hire means to Canadian soccer development

A few days ago, the highly unusual situation regarding Ryan Nelsen and Toronto FC’s top coaching spot had MLS followers abuzz.

Snark level was turned up to 11, and rightly so, because this one was shot right out of the cannon of the bizarre. We have all pretty much covered the raging instability of hiring Nelsen, who remains under contract at Queens Park Rangers. As a player!

When will Nelsen start? Good question.

Why put a man with zero coaching experience in the far less favorable position of starting from behind? Good question.

Why announce the choice now with all these questions unresolved? Why not put together a handshake agreement and then make it all official later? Great questions.

(MORE: Ripple effect of Jonas Olsson, Ryan Nelsen and Toronto FC)

But past the front line of all these fine questions, others are awaiting their turn in the answer cue.

For instance, Jason DeVos of TSN in Canada wonders about the lack of Canadian coaches for Major League Soccer’s three Canadian clubs.

In addition to the ongoing blow to Canadian soccer development, DeVos, speaking on MLS Extra Time, wonders if the message is being sent that coaching hires in his country are all down to the “who you know” rather than the more substantive “what you know:”

“Yes, they are Major League Soccer franchises, but they are not based in the United States. The landscape is a lot different up in this country. None of these clubs is being guided by Canadian head coaches, not being guided by Canadian technical people, apart from the Montreal Impact, who have Nick De Santis as sporting director. …

“For me, as a Canadian, I think it’s a big problem that Canadian MSL teams don’t want to hire Canadian coaches. And I think the hiring of Ryan Nelson as head coach also sends a poor message, to everyone in Canada who is trying to become a coach, that you don’t need qualifications to become a head coach. Don’t bother getting your education as a head coach, because you don’t need it.

“As long as you know someone who happens to be a in a powerful position at a club, then you can get a job as a head coach. And I think that’s a dangerous message to send out.”