Toronto FC announced Wednesday that former players Jimmy Brennan and Danny Dichio will be taking on new roles with the club’s Academy. Dichio becomes Head Coach of Toronto FC’s Senior Academy Team and Brennan will take charge of the Junior Academy Team.
“This is a great opportunity for Jimmy and Danny to grow as coaches and also play a significant role in developing the young talent at our club,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “The Academy has a vital role to play in this club so these positions are very important. We want all of the teams throughout the club to play the same way so that we can develop young players who know how to play the Toronto FC style.”
Dichio and Brennan have been with the club since the inaugural season in 2007 and were the first two inductees on Toronto FC’s Wall of Honour last year. Dichio, 36, moved across the Atlantic to join Toronto FC after a long career in Europe and scored the first goal in the club’s history on May 12, 2007. He retired from playing in September 2009 having scored 14 goals in 59 MLS appearances for Toronto.
“I am very excited about being given the chance to coach my own team and bring through the next set of kids,” said Dichio. “Stuart Neely and Jason Bent have done a fantastic job so far and I am just looking to continue that trend. Toronto FC is moving forward in the right direction with a system and philosophy that runs throughout the club. Part of my role is to make sure every player knows his position within the team so that when they reach the First Team, they are familiar with the way they need to play.”
Brennan, 33, served as the team’s Assistant General Manager last season following his retirement as a player on April 6, 2010. He became the first ever player to join Toronto FC when he signed with the club on September 8, 2006 and held the role of team captain from the inaugural season through until his retirement. The Toronto born defender also had an accomplished international career with Canada and was part of the Gold Cup winning squad in 2000.
“This is a great opportunity for me to be on the pitch every day working with the young players,” said Brennan. “The Academy is very important for this club and we will be working very closely with the First Team staff as we look to develop the types of players that fit into Toronto FC’s style of play. It is our job to help produce players, and that is an exciting challenge.”
Toronto FC also announced Wednesday that Nick Dasovic has been named the club’s North American Scout. Dasovic, 42, has been part of Toronto FC’s team staff since 2008 when he joined the club as Academy Head Coach and First Team Assistant Coach. Prior to joining Toronto FC, he spent five years with the Canadian National Team program.
As part of his role, Dasovic will keep a close watch on college tournaments and matches. As well as scouting in North America, he will also attend youth tournaments in other areas of the world and has just returned from the CONCACAF Under 17 World Cup Qualifying tournament in Jamaica.
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