Toronto FC announced Friday that the club has signed general manager Tim Bezbatchenko and head coach Greg Vanney to multi-year contract extensions. In addition, Bezbatchenko will add the title of Senior Vice President of Soccer Operations. As per club policy terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“We are proud to announce the signing of both Tim and Greg to long-term extensions and ensure they will remain part of Toronto FC for the foreseeable future,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “Since joining Toronto FC I have preached the importance of stability to help build long-term success. Under the leadership of Tim and Greg we have witnessed a significant cultural change at Toronto FC where winning is an expectation. Together they have helped transform Toronto FC into a perennial contender for championships.”
Bezbatchenko, 35, originally joined Toronto FC on September 20, 2013. During his time, as general manager, Bezbatchenko hired Vanney as the club’s head coach and has played a lead role in the recruitment and acquisition of current designated players Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. He has also strengthened the team’s roster with established players from within MLS and international clubs. Bezbatchenko helped build the complete Toronto FC player pathway from the Academy through to the first team. He led the efforts to establish a second division affiliate with the birth of Toronto FC II, currently in its third professional season. As result, the club has signed 25 homegrown players to professional contracts (MLS and USL).
Vanney, 43, originally joined Toronto FC as the club’s assistant general manager and academy director on December 11, 2013. Vanney became the club’s ninth head coach in franchise history on August 31, 2014 and at that time he was also named the club’s technical director a role he will continue to hold. Instrumental in building the current roster with Bezbatchenko and Manning, Vanney is the club’s longest tenured head coach and has set records for games managed (114), wins (51) and playoff wins (4). Last season, Vanney’s side set records for most points in a season (53) and least amount of goals conceded (39). In 2015, records were set for wins in a season (15), goals scored (58), home wins (11) and home goals scored (34).
Bezbatchenko and Vanney have overseen several club milestones culminating in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship and MLS Cup appearance in 2016. The duo also oversaw Toronto FC’s first playoff berth (2015) in franchise history and back-to-back playoff appearances (2015, 2016). Toronto FC captured back-to-back Canadian Championships (2016, 2017), giving the club six Voyageurs Cups, the most of any Canadian franchise. With their 2017 Canadian Championship, TFC earned qualification into the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League.
