
Bob Bradley drops Federico Bernardeschi from Toronto FC squad, dressing room in chaos
Published: May 26, 1:47 p.m. ET
Updated: May 26, 3:48 p.m. ET
Toronto FC: soccer team or soap opera?
The incident that has dominated TFC headlines all week has finally come to a head.
After barbed comments to the media from both Federico Bernardeschi and Toronto FC head coach Bob Bradley, Bernardeschi was absent from TFC training on Friday.
Bradley subsequently told reporters that he has made a “coach’s decision” based on internal discussions that will see Bernardeschi left out of the squad for TFC’s match vs. D.C. United this weekend.
“Coach’s decision: Fede will not be in the squad for this game,” Bradley said. He stressed that the decision is not a “disciplinary move” for the comments that Bernardeschi made following Saturday night’s 1-0 loss in Austin, but is based on internal discussions that have taken place over the past week.
Related read: Disordered Toronto FC host D.C. United at BMO Field amid backdrop of chaos
“There has been a lot going on this week, a lot of internal discussions. So in terms of preparing for this match, the decision was made that way…
“When you think about preparing the group for this game, I felt this was the best way to handle it. There’s been just different things that we have worked through this week and that’s where it left us as we were getting closer to this match so that we felt we could be best prepared as possible.”
However, Bernardeschi’s future at the club is not thought to be in doubt and Michael Singh adds “the expectation is he will be back in the mix next week.”
To that point, Bradley added that “there are discussions going on about how we’re going to continue to work together.”
“I think that the plan that Fede is back in it and we all move forward,” he added. “He and I had a good discussion today and I think we’re both on the same page and excited to keep working together.”
It’s the conclusion (for now, at least…) of a week’s worth of frustration, irritation, and internal friction at the club. But, according to the latest report from Josh Kloke, Tom Bogert, and Paul Tenorio of The Athletic, tension in the room between the star Italians and both Bob and Michael Bradley has existed for quite some time.
Kloke and Bogert spoke with more than a dozen sources to reveal some remarkable behind-the-scenes dealings, including former players who described the environment at TFC as being the worst they’d ever experienced as well as president Bill Manning’s admission that he explored the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus before the Portuguese star returned to Manchester United.
Most pertinently, the must-read Athletic article (trust us when we say you really have to read it) also detailed that on Tuesday, the first day back at training following Saturday’s loss in Austin, Bradley held a meeting with the team’s leadership committee that includes captain Michael Bradley, goalkeeper Sean Johnson, Lorenzo Insigne, Matt Hedges, Jonathan Osorio, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Richie Laryea. After the meeting, Bob Bradley confronted Bernardeschi about his post-match comments in front of the entire squad. Barbs about team issues and tactics were exchanged between Bernardeschi, the Bradleys, and Kaye, and then the meeting ended.
Then, three days after Bernardeschi very publicly voiced his frustrations with the Reds’ tactics and performances after they conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose in Austin, Bradley publicly responded in strong terms with a public riposte in which he called the 29-year-old “out of line” and “wrong.”
“Fede was wrong for speaking that way after the game,” Bradley said earlier this week. “It was a tough loss, a late goal after we had defended in a really good way. So he was wrong to speak that way after the game, 100 per cent. And we’ve now discussed it inside the team. [I] made it clear that that was out of line.”
Bernardeschi had said on Saturday after TFC slipped to their fifth loss in 14 regular season games that “we need to change something, we need more tactics, we need an idea of how we play.
“This is the real problem for me, it’s impossible to play like this… we don’t have any ideas of how to play…” added the Italian, who was substituted with 25 minutes of the Austin game remaining and the score tied at 0-0. “I think this team, this city, the fans, everybody doesn’t deserve this… I’m really proud of the team and about every player because it’s difficult to play like this… For me, we need something different.”
Bradley was not impressed and has made that known in no uncertain terms.
Most of the sentiment and support amongst the Reds fanbase seems to lie with Bernardeschi; Bradley is not exactly the apple of most supporters’ eyes right now given the way the first half of the season has gone.
But it’s a tough situation. As an experienced head coach — a three-time MLS Coach of the Year winner, no less — Bradley will feel he needs to take a stand against public dissent, no matter who is voicing it. Regardless of whether or not Bernardeschi said his name or called for a change in management, his comments were a clear criticism of Bradley’s management and style of football. As a manager, generally speaking, you have to ensure your authority is respected.
The problem is that in the absence of Insigne — and with his future reportedly far from certain; the Athletic article suggests he does not want to play under Bradley for much longer, and that he and Bernadeschi do not get along too well despite sharing the common goal of seeing Bradley ousted — Bernardeschi is TFC’s leading star and leading attacking contributor.
Bernardeschi posted two images to his Instagram story on Friday, shortly before the news broke. The first detailed his attacking importance to the team using cold, hard stats.

With three goals and two assists so far this season, he is the team’s leading scorer, and he has the best average number of chances created per game and the highest number of key passes per game. Put simply, many would call him vital.
Most fans would also likely argue that, unlike some other players in the club’s recent history, his on-field attitude has never really wavered even in the face of recent form and performances which frankly must be embarrassing to him at times.
For what it’s worth, the second image Fede posted to his Instagram story on Friday was this. Check the song title.

Without Bernardeschi, TFC face D.C. on Saturday looking for just a third win in 15 games to start the season, and having not scored in over 400 minutes of game time.
Hey, look on the bright side: at least Bernardeschi can’t get injured in action.
What do you think about all this? Let us know in the comments.
Here’s hoping we get embarrassingly blown out w/o Fede so it proves Bernardeschi’s point.
DISGRACE! Capital letters.
What a disgrace this club has become, wow this is the worst coach in tfc history by far and that’s saying alot.
The coach never wins when your best player calls out the coach. Is Saturdays game his last? Does Fede come on as a sub? I just might go to the game and follow with the “Bob out ” chant. Give Fede a ovation if he comes on. Maybe save my money and wait for Bob to get axed on Sunday. This is BAD!
I’m *sure* the (fewer and fewer) fans that paid for tickets will be happy to know that one of the only guys worth watching on our miserable (BB hand-picked) squad won’t be suiting up.
ML$E will soon figure out that fans aren’t interested in paying to see the pitiful results of a coach defending his pride/ego at all costs.
Very well said RJ , What a petty little man this coach of ours is.
There can be no surprise here that it has come to this.
Fede learning to keep things within the team/management and not air it out in public, and that no player is more important than the team/franchise.
It is surprising that Fede did publicly comment his frustrations, as he appears to be very professional, but that was very unprofessional behaviour.
U a company man. Not for the people. The union leader questioned the bosses so he must be punished for doubting the gods?
There is some emphasis on “after internal discussions”. Bob got the go ahead from above? Damn it. I was looking forward to going to the game tomorrow.
Bob is a complete moron should of been fired MLSE s board complete sports morons too. Fede is just trying to get thru the thick skulls of the sports moron board to fire this incompetent moron as bill is scared to do it because he is a) bobs NJ buddy and b) scared he will get fired himself (it only took Swansea 12 games to figure this guy is a horrendous coach why is it taking so long here)
Bob is that you?
LMAO (from the Athletic article) – Fede is going all-out bad boy. What a clusterF. This can’t be saved the way it’s going.
“In Tuesday’s team meeting… per multiple sources that were present…Michael Bradley encouraged Bernardeschi to keep his grievances within the team, to which he replied ‘Of course, you’re his son.’ … At one point, when Mark-Anthony Kaye agreed with the Bradleys, Federico added ‘Of course, you’re his other son.'”
“Sources within the team said Bernardeschi has been admonished for using a vape pen in the practice facility, including the training room and on the team plane, despite being told multiple times it was not allowed.”
“There have been secret meetings between Insigne and Bernardeschi about a power grab, despite mutual dislike between them.”
Lmaooo if that’s true than I fucking love Bernardeschi.
I think its time for Fans not to go to the game on Saturday to show management that we want significant managerial change and that we come to watch this team’s best players perform.
If the stands are empty Manning and the board will have no choice but to sack Bradley this weekend.
This is exactly what is needed, I will not go to the game this weekend, great post TFC Fan
Fans also need to stay off the Apple broadcast, they need to see a significant dip in numbers!
I will not be going to this evenings game nor will I be watching it on Apple.
We need to show solidarity now before the season is lost.
This is the first game this season I’m actually going to watch. The team was boringly mediocre to start the season, but in the last month it has turned into a train-wreck I can’t peel my eyes away from. Don’t worry, though – I’ll find an illegal stream. ML$E can sue me. I’ll present the game footage as evidence and the judge will dismiss the case while forcing TFC to pay for the psychotherapy I’ll need after watching the abomination.
Judging by what I am reading today, fans want to see this team lose big tomorrow, what a sad statement, Bob and Bill just quit now and take the cause of all this Mike with you.
I’m betting $500 against TFC
How the hell is Mark anthony kaye in a “leadership position”, he is a relatively new player still, woeful on the pitch and challenges his own fans to fights. I hope him and Bob are never seen again for TFC after this weekends disaster.
MAK needs to just shut up and play ! Imagine the nerve of this guy going to the fans section on the south side after the dismal performance a few weeks ago, I will never condone any sort of violence but that megaphone thrown on the field is just what this team deserves! Fans should sit quiet at tonights game other then of course the loud boos that will be showered on Bob Bradley.
Next headline will be Berna and TFC mutually parting ways. What a stain on Bob Bradley he’s single handily ruined this team. Should’ve been let go last season now we have another season without playoffs and basically starting over again
Fire Bradley immediately. He is an utter disgrace and has lost the players and fans alike.
I URGE FANS TO BOYCOTT THE CLUB UNTIL BRADLEY IS FIRED.
I will not attend nor watch a single match until he is gone. The more of us do likewise, the sooner this nightmare can end. I reluctantly put up with this kind of out of touch arrogant attitude underscored by ineptitude from our country’s leaders (all parties, all levels) because I have no choice, but I refuse to put up with it from an inept imbecile like Bob Bradley.
#BoycottTFC
#FireBradley
#IStandWithFede
I’ve had season tickets since season one and this is arguably the best team we’ve ever had on paper. Bradley has failed to manage the team he’s built, Laryea has been our only bright spot while linking up with Fede on the right. It’s obvious Fede got fed up when Bradley decided to spilt them up forcing Laryea to play centre back and then next game pushing Fede to the opposite side to make way for Laryea to play out of position again. And Bradley wonders why we can’t score anymore. #BRADLEYOUT
OH and I will not be going to the game tomorrow after reading he’s benching our only goal threat. Here’s to hoping we get shit kicked and they fire Bradley.
TFC has no hope of making the playoffs this year. Enjoy watching Brampton United play out the rest of the season for TFC.
And to think we could have fielded Giovinco for peanuts this season.
“Brampton United” DJ I remember watching my sons compete in under 18 and under 16 competitive soccer and the play was more fluid with better understanding what every kid was supposed to do on the pitch. What we are seeing now is the ugliest , I don’t even want to call it soccer. How does anyone with even the slightest knowledge of this sport rate Bob Bradley as great coach?
I can’t even blame Bob anymore. He’s clearly in over his head. I blame MLSE & Manning for being too incompetent to fix this and for putting the club in this situation to begin with.
This is true at this point when you give a chimp a gun and the chimp shoots someone u don’t blame the chimp.
I said it a year ago ! Michael Bradley is this teams cancer, not even so much with his on field play, but what he represents in the change room and practice field, MLSE lets do the operation cut away both Bradley’s stat.
Problem is MLSE is on fire right now. Raptors are spiraling (and without a coach and many pending Free Agents), Leafs front office is in chaos (without a GM and their core’s contracts need to be dealth with asap,) and the MLSE board consists of CFO’s from telecom companies (Bell and Rogers) who know nothing about sports (this is the reality we are dealing with)
And the MLSE CEO is a joke. How many people even know who is the CEO of MLSE without googling it? At least when Tim Leiweke was CEO he was outgoing, engaged with fan bases and making attempts at moving the needle.
Finally look at the leadership of MLSE and show me how TFC is represented vs Leafs, Raptors and even the Argos.
https://www.mlse.com/our-company/leaders-at-mlse
I hope I am wrong but the TFC mess is small potatoes to the Leafs and Raptors (however if fans stay away and media makes a big deal of this), MLSE will be forced to act sooner then later.
Everything you said is true, all I can add is this has been going on since leiweke left and apparently one of the reasons he left because he couldn’t get along with our board who as u said no nothing about sports yet were afraid of leiweke’s growing influence so they wanted to start voting on leiweke’s decisions. All sports are a mess dubas and bob many others shouldn’t have been hired in the first place masai is our only good executive and MLSE have tried to push him out too…I’m almost at a point I rather have a Saudi or Qatari shiek just buy the whole sports operations, and let these guys just focus on ripping us off on internet and other telecommunications.
Honestly you don’t want any Saudi buying MLSE. Having said that, I don’t see Rogers and Bell selling this asset as its a cash cow. Until people stay away from viewing games live and on tv and streaming their revenues will not be impacted.
If fans stay away from these conglomerates and stop paying into any of their ventures, it will impact their bottom line and finally their share prices (they are both publicly traded companies). And its at that point that their CEO’s will wake up and take action.
I question if Vasquez is actually injured or not.
Not here to defend Bradley, b/c he should never have been hired in the first place but the two Italians are grossly over paid. Making the money they’re getting they should be tearing the league up a la Giovinco. The MLSE model of overpaying for superstars and paying the rest of the workers crumbs in comparison is broken.
Did Bob have an affair a long time ago and voila…MAK? Too funny. Everyone had to know that hiring dad to coach was a potential disaster if it didn’t go well. Mike should have been smarter about it to tell dad to stay away. It is hard enough at house league level with parent coaching kid’s team. As for the Italians. Over-rated. One guy can do nothing with his right foot. The other can to nothing with his left foot. Giovinco could use both feet with ease and far better than both of these guys. Manning, Bob, Mike, Lore, Fede – all must go. I’m SSH since Day 1. I might leave as well, come end of season. Has MLSE forgotten that they and the fans own this team together? We should have our say in the direction of the team going forward asap. P.S. They can keep the gala. No interest.
I’m wondering how people think coaches get fired, or the contracts don’t get renewed. Of course it’s usually the position immediately above that pushes that move. In a dual role like Bob’s it is left to the President or owner.
If Insigne said last year he didn’t want to play for Bob, as confirmed in the Athletic today, then it has been known. And Bob/TFC publicly saying that’s not true and he is just frustrated with injury and losses, reinforces for everyone the Coach/Sport Director is not leaving and he controls the message even when dishonest or being used as misdirection. The players have discussed the displeasure with Bob since last year, the club ignored it, this wasn’t Fede after a loss that started this mess.
Then, in this setting, it’s the players that speak up in public to initiate change. That is NEVER going to have 100% player buy-in based on how people think in groups. Looking at TFC, with the coaches son as captain, you expect there are cliques and the Athletic confirmed that. The reference to MAK as “Bob’s other son” is a good example of that. Other players who might not be thrilled with challenges of the coach are young guys in their first contract trying to gain a foothold.
I don’t know who Insigne told about not returning to play for Bob, but it is what brought the Italian players together when not actually close. We could see the joy in the faces of Shaff and Lucas as they hugged after the header McNaughton scored, we can see Mavinga liking posts that mock TFC, we can read about players saying the environment is “f*cked”. I’m actually thankful Fede woke up to give this a public viewing.
Yes Manning is responsible for creating this mess and not acknowledging his errors. But it’s Bob that is throwing gas on the fire and who was hired (and paid well) to deal with it. I think Fede, and certainly Lorenzo, could do more on the pitch. But then reading this in the Athletic;
“ The Italians favor sessions that focus on tactical plans and specific player roles, sources said, while Bradley has opted for more all-encompassing sessions that better simulate the pace and physicality of MLS and leave room for flexibility on the field”
This identifies EXACTLY why it looks like TFC is lost with the ball, they have players of vast experience levels being “flexible” about what to do.
And for those keeping track of injuries the quote I posted about the practice criticism“… simulate the pace and physicality of MLS” speaks DIRECTLY to that problem. This is taught to young coaches early in coach education.
this is above Bradley his direction is limited we can see it with player selection .
MLSE needs someone at the helm
I have had season tickets since day 1 and have lived through some other coaching fiascos they need to look back.
what was done to get the team that won the cup together .do it now .
While it likely feels good to suggest people stay away from BMO field, streaming games, and buying merchandise, it will not have the impact that is being suggested. MLSE is in no way paying attention to what the die-hards fans of TFC think of Bob, his management of the team, tactics, etc. MLSE knows that the die-hards might turn away for some period of time but will eventually be back.
More so, MLSE has the SSH $$ already, they have the Apple TV $$ already, and all their sponsor $$ already, and so on and so on. So suggest all you want for people to stay away, not stream, etc., but unfortunately it will make zero difference. You might feel better about it (and should do it if it does) but MLSE does not give a $hit about one fan, some fans or many fans turning away because of Bob. In other words, there is little impact on MLSE’s decision making to either keep or get rid of Bob, Bill, whomever because the some/many of fans are unhappy and staying/going away. It is sad but true.
So what to do, say you? Perhaps lowering expectations or simplifying expectations. Watch not to see TFC succeed or even play well, but maybe just to see Laryea play well, create some chances, maybe score. That way he is performing well going into the Gold Cup. But brother, do not expect MLSE to do anything just because a well rooted and invested fan base don’t show up, watch or buy stuff because MLSE is not getting rid of Bob. That is a good way to go stir-crazy.
Imagine if TFC win tonight? lol