John Herdman was born in England, but has become one of the most notable sporting figures in Canada, as head coach of the men’s soccer team. Herdman had enjoyed a successful coaching career in England, before being offered the top job in Canada after Spain successful with the Canadian women’s team.

Herdman was in fact working as a part-time university lecturer when he began his coaching career, having worked as a development coach for the youth academy at Sunderland. He then moved to New Zealand, and broke into coaching full-time when he was appointed as the head coach for the New Zealand women’s national football team.

Having guided the senior squad to the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2007 and 2011, as well as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Herdman was then headhunted by the Canadian soccer Association, which led to him taking over the top job in women’s soccer in 2011.

Herdman immediately led the women’s team to a gold medal finish at the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico. He also won two Olympic bronze medals, and is generally considered to be the most successful Canadian women’s soccer coach of all-time.

Having been appointed the head coach of the man’s team in 2018, Herdman also became the national director for soccer in Canada, with responsibility for all age groups from under-14s upwards.