Over the first four years of the club’s history, Toronto FC has been known for a lot of things – most of them negative. Long scoring droughts, coaching changes, overpaying for players and leadership deficits in the room have all, rightfully, been said of the Reds.
Another common trend from year one through four has been that the players have appeared to be the one’s running the show. Chris Cummins complained of a divided room undermining his efforts in 2009 and the first rumours of a player revolt against Preki came in June of 2010 – just four months after he’d started the job.
This off-season hasn’t been much better. DeRo taking off to Celtic without properly informing the club was not a great way to wake up on Boxing Day and Adrian Cann’s recent hold-out for more money (deserved, or not) was not a great message – especially coming from a player that has worn the armband.
Within that context I found my conversation with Elbekay Bouchiba yesterday refreshing.
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Although on the back-half of his career, Bouchiba has played for some big clubs in Holland and he carried with him a level of professionalism that any football team should want. This is a guy that played with Aron Winter. That one of the first things Winter would do is seek him out is telling, I think.
It’s also telling that Bouchiba quickly accepted the call. He said in the interview that MLS wasn’t on his radar prior to Winter reaching out, but that his old teammate could still “teach him some things.” Again, this is a guy that has played for a lot of managers at clubs a hell of a lot bigger than Toronto. Those doubting Winter already should at least give some thought to Bouchiba’s recommendation.
If you read the MLSsoccer.com article you’ll see that Bouchiba wasn’t afraid to speak candidly about TFC’s play in Carolina. His comments were appropriate, pointed and reasoned all at once. Hopefully , they’ll find the ears of the the rest of the Reds.
It’s worth noting that Bouchiba’s English was quite good – he handled complicated questions over the phone (much more difficult than talking in person) very well. If he’s to step up into a leadership position that’s vital.
A 10 minute conversation is hardly a full picture, but when thinking about a team that has struggled for leadership in the past it was promising.