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News, Blog and GuidesThe 35-year-old forward has confirmed reports that Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne clashed with former head coach Bob Bradley.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jan 10th, 2024 11:38 EST
Robert EdwardsUSA TODAY Sports
Toronto FC endured a historically bad 2023, finishing the season with the fewest points in MLS and widespread reports of locker room disputes. The Ontario side had began the campaign with major ambitions and the highest salary bill in the league (later eclipsed by Inter Miami) under illustrious head coach Bob Bradley.
More than half of Toronto´s salary outlay went on their three Designated Players, which included Italian duo Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne. Much was expected of the attacking pair, who lifted the European Championships with Italy in 2021, but they failed to deliver.
Most worryingly, Bernardeschi and Insigne were reportedly at the center of a chaotic locker room atmosphere that saw them at odds with Bradley. Forward C. J. Sapong played for Toronto during 2023 and saw first hand the club´s dysfunctional environment.
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Toronto FC´s expensive Italian imports failed to impress in 2023.John E. SokolowskiUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Sapong appeared on the Cooligans soccer podcast recently and was asked about reports that Bernardeschi was repeatedly admonished for using a vape pen while with the team, including at the training facility and on the team airplane. Sapong confirmed that the reports were true.
“I challenged a lot of my teammates, and a lot of perspectives, because that seems simple, right? It’s like, ´Bro, just don’t vape.´ But if that person is just someone who decides they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do, then at the end of the day, well, I guess he’s just gonna do that.”
Herdman pins hopes on Insigne and Bernardeschi
On the field the Italian duo have failed to demonstrate the attacking talents that saw them shine in Europe. The falling out with Bradley and dysfunctional nature of Toronto in 2023 saw them struggle to make an impact in MLS but there is hope that they can perform under new head coach John Herdman. Insigne is 32 years old and Bernardeschi just 29, suggesting that they are still capable of competing at the top level.
Herdman officially took over the team in October and he insisted that he was focused on getting the best out of Toronto´s two star players. Both have a contract through the end of 2026 and could be key to the club´s much-needed off-season rebuild.
Living above the lineThe All For One Season XI Finale is here 📺: https://t.co/C0TSslNFCA pic.twitter.com/ALDkjQtMzA
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) November 24, 2023
“What I want to do is convince them that there is a new future here,” Herdman told The Canadian Press. “And with their ability and their experiences, they can create that new future.”
