Tasked with replacing John Herdman at short notice, at least in the short term, Team Canada interim head coach Mauro Biello is aware that he will have a lot to do in a very short time.
The former Herdman assistant will only have three training sessions with his squad next week before playing a friendly match against Japan on October 13 in Niigata. The Maple Leaf representatives will then return to their respective clubs, before reconvening to play two crucial matches in the Concacaf Nations League, a competition which will serve as a qualifying tournament for Concacaf teams for the tournament. of the CONMEBOL Copa America in 2024.
Since Canada chose to be inactive during the last FIFA international window in September and will only play one match in October, the team will have very little preparation time.
By comparison, the United States plans to play four games in these two windows of opportunity. They beat Oman 4-0 and Uzbekistan 3-0 in September, and face Germany and Ghana in October.
Soccer Canada attributed this situation to “financial constraints” and a lack of availability of “quality opponents.”
“For this trip, it was difficult to carry out adequate preparation, especially with the logistical challenges,” Biello explained to journalists by videoconference on Thursday.
Most players will be traveling on Monday and are expected to take part in light training on Tuesday, before returning to regular training the next day and Thursday in preparation for the match against Japan. Biello estimates he will have a three-day period to prepare his team for their first Concacaf Nations League match in November.
Biello, a former Canadian international who played for and managed the Montreal Impact, will be surrounded by a new coaching staff – given that most of them have joined Herdman at Toronto FC.
Biello’s assistant coaches, who were announced Thursday, are ex-TFC captain Steven Caldwell and ex-TFC assistant coach Paul Stalteri. Paolo Ceccarelli will be the goalkeeper instructor, and Carmine Isacco will be the assistant coach responsible for the video.
Biello indicated that he has already contacted his players, and asked them for their impressions. He added that he wants to continue Herdman’s work, given the time spent alongside him.
Soccer Canada has specified that the identity of the new head coach of the Canadian selection will be revealed after the appointment of the new secretary general of the organization, which should be announced by the end of the year. Biello mentioned that he is one of the candidates for the permanent position.
