Jurgen Klinsmann Reportedly Accepts Consulting Job With Toronto FC

The U.S. Soccer Federation couldn’t lure Juregen Klinsmann out of semi-retirement, but it appears as if Major League Soccer can.

If reports are to be believed, the former German National Team coach and player has accepted a consulting job with Toronto FC and will have free reign over remaking the organization that became the first MLS team in league history to miss the playoffs four straight years. Despite being one of the highest spending and well supported teams in the league, TFC has never made the playoffs in their history. The official announcement is expected to be next week.

The Reds fired their general manager and head coach during the season after a promising start unraveled into another disappointing finish. Mo Johnston had been the soccer director from day one and had been allowed to sign numerous high-priced players, including Designated Players Julian de Guzman and Mista. He was also responsible for signing Preki away from Chivas USA. Preki never seemed to mesh with TFC and was relieved of his coaching duties just 24 games into his tenure.

Toward the end of the season, the team’s ownership group — MLSE — announced a significant rise in season-ticket prices, which prompted several supporter protests. Although MLSE did revise the season-ticket package, it is clear a fair amount of work remains to be done to repair the relationship.

Signing such a well-known commodity as Klinsmann appears to be a step in that direction.

Klinsmann is not expected to serve either role himself, but will be tasked with making recommendations for those positions. He’ll also look at the organization’s infrastructure, youth academy and scouting and even be expected to suggest a playing style. How that will work once a general manager and coach are in place is not entirely clear.

After enjoying a stellar playing career that featured the 1990 World Cup title, the 1996 European Championship and 238 professional goals across several top leagues, Klinsmann has also carved out quite an impressive coaching resume. He led Germany to a surprise semifinal finish and then led Bayern Munich to the Champions League quarterfinals during his first stint as a club coach. Klinsmann was known for playing an attractive brand of attacking soccer. The teams he has coached have played a similar style and he has often prized youth and athleticism over experience.

He has not held any formal coaching or advising positions since essentially being fired by the German giants, but was supposedly close to accepting the U.S. Men’s National Team job several months ago.