Mariner reportedly set to join Toronto FC

According to multiple reports, former New England Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner will be named technical director director of player development at Toronto FC. Mariner’s name was originally linked to the head coaching position in Toronto until Aron Winter recently surfaced as the new favorite to take the coaching reins.

Paul Mariner, who left his position as assistant coach of the Revolution in 2009, looks set to take over as technical director in Toronto. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Recent reports also indicate that Winter will, in fact, take over as head coach in Toronto, and will be working closely with Mariner and recently-hired consultant Jurgen Klinsmann, the former Germany coach who’s been perpetually linked to the U.S. Men’s National Team head coaching post.

Mariner, a highly-respected member of the Revolution coaching staff during his time in Foxboro, most recently served as the head coach of Plymouth Argyle F.C. in England’s Football League One (third division). However, both Mariner announced last Thursday that he and Plymouth were parting ways.

The former English striker joined New England as an assistant under head coach Steve Nicol in 2004 until his departure for Plymouth Argyle prior to the conclusion of the 2009 season. During Mariner’s tenure, the Revs reached three straight MLS Cup finals (2005-2007) and won the U.S. Open Cup in 2007 and SuperLiga in 2008.

Mariner has been widely credited with the development of the Revolution’s strikers, including all-time leading scorer Taylor Twellman. Twellman revealed in his retirement press conference in November that Mariner’s hiring in 2004 was “the best thing that Steve Nicol ever did for me.” Mariner, now 57-years-old, enjoyed a lengthy and successful career as a player, most notably with Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town, and Arsenal. He also scored 13 goals in 35 appearances for England.

Should he accept the technical director’s director of player development’s responsibilities in Toronto, Mariner will be given the monumental task of overhauling a club has failed to reach the postseason since entering the league in 2006.