ML$E Job Fair: Apply Within

That clicking sound echoing down Bay Street is likely emanating from the hallowed marble and platinum halls of the Maple Leaf $ports & "Entertainment" head office. Dozens of interns and partially trained monkeys are feverishly pounding their keyboards on Workopolis and Craigslist, sorting through the replies to the ad their bosses placed.
　
General Manager - FT - local soccer team - experience not necessary...
　
Yes, the men who have brought you such boardroom big-hitters as Rob Babcock and John Ferguson Jr. are poised to name the successor to Mo Johnston as Toronto FC's Director of Football but what do they have in mind? Based on ML$E's track record, the hiring should go one of four ways - but what kind of candidate will snag the best job at Exhibition Place (apart from the guy who makes the fried butter)?
　
INTERNATIONAL MANAGER WITH PEDIGREE:
RUMOURS: Carlos Queiroz, Jurgen Klinsmann, Ciro Ferrara
THE PROS:
- A big name to attract a higher calibre of foreign player
- New ideas and tactics different from other MLS clubs
- Not connected with the previous drama of TFC and ML$E
THE CONS:
- Unfamiliar with the complexities of MLS caps, squads and systems
- An expectation to change the club to fit their mould
- A possible lack of patience with ML$E's low expectations
ML$E SPIN: Shows the club's dedication to being a major force
WHY LIKELY: TFC/ ML$E needs a major PR coup
WHY UNLIKELY: It will cost a lot - something ML$E hates

THE ODDS: 500-1
　
MLS EXECUTIVE WITH PROMISE
RUMOURS: Paul Mariner, Steve Nicol, Domenic Kinnear
THE PROS:
- Experience with the odd world of MLS club structure
- Building a club with low financial backing but high expectations
- Aware of the circus history of Toronto FC's first four years

THE CONS:

- Best available people already tied to clubs

- Possible reliance on outdated defensive MLS tactics

- Difficulty dealing with higher level of media and public scrutiny
ML$E SPIN: The most qualified and experienced man for the job
WHY LIKELY: It's the right move
WHY UNLIKELY: It's the right move

THE ODDS: 50-1

Mariner and Nicol. Too much sense. Next

THE CANADIAN BRAINTRUST
RUMOURS: An All-Canuck combo featuring three or more of the likes of Earl Cochrane, Jim Brennan, Jason De Vos, Paul James, (enter random Canadian here)
THE PROS:
- Understand the club and the ownership right away
- An easy way to increase staff levels immediately
- A simple transition for returning players
THE CONS:
- No real professional club experience
- Will have little clout to face off with ML$E bosses
- Committee GM's don't ever succeed
ML$E SPIN: Helping to improve TFC and all of Canadian soccer
WHY LIKELY: A simple yet fairly uncontroversial move
WHY UNLIKELY: Hard to fire three guys next July

THE ODDS: 5-1
　
JIMMY BRENNAN
RUMOURS: Jimmy Brennan
THE PROS:
- Possible remaining connections in England from career
- Close ties to Canada Soccer
- Very few else. (Haircut?)
THE CONS:
- A continuation of the dubiously cozy First Wave Agency relationship
- The direct descendant of his professor, Mo Johnston
- Absolutely no superiors or mentors in the club to get advice from
ML$E SPIN: All hail the first Canadian GM - Mr.TFC!
WHY LIKELY: Easy, very, very cheap and press friendly
WHY UNLIKELY: Won't help sell season tickets

THE ODDS: Evens

"Barry is # 1 on speed dial Jim"