Former assistant coach Robin Fraser returns to Toronto FC as head coach

Toronto FC has opted for a familiar face in choosing Robin Fraser as its new head coach.

The former elite defender was a key assistant coach to Greg Vanney during Toronto's glory days, including the 2017 treble-winning season, before leaving in August 2019 to take over the Colorado Rapids as head coach.

Fraser was fired in September 2023 with an injury-plagued Colorado languishing in the Major League Soccer basement at 3-13-10 (Chris Armas, fired by Toronto in July 2021, eventually succeeded him as Rapids coach). Most recently Fraser was chief sporting adviser to CT United FC, an expansion team in the second-tier MLS Next Pro league.

"Robin has one of the most accomplished careers in MLS, combining a multitude of experience as both a player and coach," Toronto GM Jason Hernandez said in a statement. "As a person, he exemplifies our club values to the highest degree, and as a manager, we are confident in his ability to achieve sporting success.

"Robin's commitment to winning has delivered trophies at Eastern and Western conferences and we are looking forward to the work ahead to build TFC into the annual contender our ownership and supporters deserve."

A familiar face at the forefront