TFC, Argos president out

With Manning gone, GMs for both teams answer directly to CEO Pelley

- NEIL DAVIDSON

Time ran out for Bill Manning, who oversaw Toronto FC and Argonaut championships in his role as president of the MLS and CFL teams.

Manning also ran out of results and people to fire in a ‘What have you done for me lately?” business, with Toronto FC an anchor around his neck in recent seasons.

The Major League Soccer side has posted a 26-69-30 league record since its last post-season appearance in 2020, when it finished second in the league but failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs.

Having changed coaches and GMs, Manning found himself in the firing line Thursday.

Toronto FC is sliding down the MLS standings this season, having lost six straight games in league play and going winless in nine (07-2). News of Manning’s departure came the morning after a 2-1 loss to CPL champion Forge FC in the first leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment said Manning’s exit was by mutual decision.

“Today’s a very difficult day,” MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley said. “Bill’s been an important leader and contributor in our organization for nearly nine years. He’s an accomplished team executive and, first and foremost, he’s a good man. So days like today are difficult on all of us.