Ex-RSL president Manning lands at Toronto FC


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TORONTO — Former Real Salt Lake president Bill Manning, who left the club after his contract expired July 30, was named the new president of Toronto FC Monday morning.

The news, which was first reported by The Toronto Sun, comes after a whirlwind tour for Manning following a "mutually agreed upon" departure from the Salt Lake club. He was spotted in a club suite at Montreal's Stade Saputo just a few days after getting the release from RSL, and he also had multiple other reported and rumored offers in various leagues, sports and businesses around the world.

But in the end Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto FC's parent company, won out, ending a nearly yearlong search for the right man, according to the Sun's report.

The two-time MLS Executive of the Year, who helped RSL win MLS Cup in 2009, joins former general manager Garth Lagerwey (Seattle) and head coach Jason Kreis (New York City FC) in going from small-market Salt Lake City to a larger demographic. He will officially begin his role later this week for Toronto, which is just one point away from clinching its first-ever playoff spot.

Toronto FC hosts the New York Red Bulls Wednesday night.

In his new role, Manning is also reunited with former RSL Academy director Greg Vanney, who was named head coach in Toronto Aug. 31, 2014. Vanney was previously the director of the Casa Grande, Arizona-based academy from 2008-11.

"I look forward to working with Tim Bezbatchenko, Greg Vanney and the TFC staff at this exciting time, and I am grateful to Mr. Tanenbaum and the MLSE ownership for this opportunity to come to a world-class city and club to help make its championship vision a reality," Manning said in a statement released by the club.

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