Toronto FC and general manager Ali Curtis have mutually agreed to part ways, the club announced on Monday.
The Athletic is reporting that Curtis, who was also vice president of soccer operations at TFC, is in talks with MLS to take an executive position in its lower-division league that will begin next year.
“I began discussing my future with the club in September,” Curtis said in a club statement. “During the pandemic, my family moved back to the United States. After three years with Toronto FC, I am looking forward to reuniting with my wife and kids, and I am excited to take on a new professional challenge. Toronto is a beautiful city, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, as I believe it to be among the best sports organizations in the world. There are many great people to thank at TFC and in the community. Those relationships transcend the workplace. Next year, there is a lot to be excited about with TFC. It has exceptional people and it is moving in an exciting direction. I wish the team, the staff, MLSE and TFC fans the very best.”
The decision comes after TFC finished the 2021 season with 28 points, the team’s worst finish to a campaign since 2012. They also lost 1-0 to CF Montreal in the Canadian Championship final on Sunday.
Curtis was hired by TFC prior to the 2019 season. He was busy from the outset as he sold Sebastian Giovinco to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal before replacing the former MLS MVP with Alejandro Pozuelo. He also added the likes of defender Omar Gonzalez during the campaign.
Despite the sale of Giovinco, Toronto reached the MLS Cup final for the third time in four years in 2019, but ultimately lost to the Seattle Sounders.
TFC also made the playoffs in an abbreviated 2020 season despite playing outside their home market due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Reds lost to Nashville SC in the first round.
Toronto could also be on the lookout for a new head coach soon as Javier Perez was only hired until the end of the year.
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