Brennan retires

[Gian-Luca 3,362]

According to Kristian Jack of The Score.com's twitter. He's going to become assistant GM to Mo Johnston at TFC.

This is being discussed in the TFC roster thread (now that TFC is down to 4.5 Canucks), but given that this officially means he's done for the national team, thought it worth mentioning here.

[jpg75 12]

Thank you Jim for representing your country. You were one of our top players for a long time.

[yomurphy1 197]

He's only 32... and looked ok against Columbus...?

[ag futbol 0]

He's only 32... and looked ok against Columbus...?

Yeah he looked ok... I think he's still got a couple years left if he wanted to drag it out.

Why attach yourself to a guy who's life span might be six months? Johnston is finished, it's just a matter of when.

[TFCRegina 0]

He was ok in the first two years...last year his quality was lacking and it looked like it was time to retire. I'm glad he came to this decision and has chosen to stay on with TFC in another form. Gabe Gala gets more minutes...woot!

[JoeSoccerFan 0]

Yeah he looked ok... I think he's still got a couple years left if he wanted to drag it out.

Why attach yourself to a guy who's life span might be six months? Johnston is finished, it's just a matter of when.

He had said recently that this was his last season.

[nolando 1,367]

TFC...where every day seems like April Fools Day

[BrennanFan 2,383]

Jim Brennan is without any doubt the Best left sided midfielder in the history of Canadian Soccer.

Thanks for the memories Jimmy.

[Blue and White Army 4]

Why attach yourself to a guy who's life span might be six months? Johnston is finished, it's just a matter of when.

But if Brennan will be working directly under Mo, wouldn't Brennan also be at risk when MLSE deliver the inevitable clear-out of management staff?

[jpg75 12]

But if Brennan will be working directly under Mo, wouldn't Brennan also be at risk when MLSE deliver the inevitable clear-out of management staff?

I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy is being groomed as the replacement to Mo...

[Grizzly 2,792]

I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy is being groomed as the replacement to Mo...

That could be a big mistake if that is the case. Brennan may or may not have the ability for that job but after MLSE finally wakes up to the fact that Mo is a complete incompetent, TFC would probably need an experienced manager with a record of success not a former player rookie manager.

[Toronto MB 0]

His winning goal at Varsity Stadium in front of about 10,000 Jamaican supporters remains one of my favourite memories from the nats....and the ensuing euphoria of ramming a hard-earned victory down the throats of so many 'anti-Canadian Canadians' was a catalyst for me searching out the Voyageurs in the first place.

Recent controversy with the nats or not, he has made a huge contribution to Canadian soccer over the course of his career. Thanks Jimmy B. All the best at Toronto's Football Circus.

[admin 717]

That could be a big mistake if that is the case. Brennan may or may not have the ability for that job but after MLSE finally wakes up to the fact that Mo is a complete incompetent, TFC would probably need an experienced manager with a record of success not a former player rookie manager.

Yeah, I don't think anyone is thrilled with that possibility.

[Joe Keeper 29]

Say it ain't so Jimmy... But if it is, I hope you can bring some stability and creativity to TFC's office staff.

[Guest Ed]

He was terrific earlier this decade. After our surprising Gold Cup win sent us on to the land of giants -- 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, I believe he was the only Canadian to be part of the all-tournament selection.

[jamieNDG 0]

best of luck to jim. I wish that he could have had a final game with the team, hes been excellent for club and country. i really think he had another season in him.

[themodelcitizen 5]

Jim Brennan is without any doubt the Best left sided midfielder in the history of Canadian Soccer.

Thanks for the memories Jimmy.

I wasn't exactly around to witness it, but didn't we have a pretty handy winger for Celtic back in the 50s or something? That said, Jimmy B has probably been the best, most consistent member of the national team in my short decade or so of support. Should we put together some kind of card or award recognizing his service when the year-end Vs awards come about?

[RJB 89]

Sounds to me like Jim was about to be cut. Was there any rumblings about him and Preki not getting along? For the captain to quit on the eve of the season opener either makes him a selfish tool, or someone who just didn't want to be cut.

Edited April 17, 2010 by RJB

[Guest]

He is doing a Q&A on reddit soccer. It's quite interesting as Q&As are quite rare on the subreddit.

[kohanz 178]

Link to AMA (happens on Tuesday)

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/42myvg/ama_announcement_jim_brennan_canadian_footballer/

[Guest]

Here is a summary of the best questions and answers.

http://www.wakingthered.com/2016/1/27/10846312/former-toronto-fc-captain-jimmy-brennan-answers-questions-in-reddit-can-mnt

[kohanz 178]

My favourite answer from the AMA was not included in that article. It really speaks to the value of hard work over talent. It also speaks to the untapped pool here in Canada that simply does not see going pro as an option (due to the immense commitment that needs to be made). Fortunately, that is slowly changing.

Q: Growing up, how much better at football were you than those around you?

A: Their was some very good players that I played with and players that were better than me. The difference was I wanted to be a pro and would do what ever it took to be one.

Edited January 28, 2016 by kohanz

[jpg75 12]

Jim Brennan was a gifted youth player who played up an age group with the 76's in Newmarket. He also had a UK passport which is immensely helpful when there are no pro academies.