Town legend Paul Mariner has been appointed the head coach of MLS side Toronto FC. The 59-year-old, who was previously the club’s director of player development, takes over from former Dutch international Aron Winter, who has left by mutual consent after a start to the season which has seen them drop to the bottom of the Eastern Conference having gained just three points from 10 games.

Mariner, who previously had a long spell as assistant coach with the New England Revolution working under former Liverpool man Steve Nicol, says the Toronto team doesn’t require too much tinkering: "At the present moment we've just got to try to change things a little bit. Only a few minor adjustments need to be made, in my viewpoint.

“We've got a lot of work to do starting this week. Two very, very big games and very important games. You've just go to wait and see what happens. We're going to get results, it's just that simple."

The one-time Blues and England striker is sure he has what it takes to turn Toronto around: "I'm a very modest man but I've got unbelievable confidence in my own ability. I know exactly what I'm doing in training this week. I know exactly what the team will be next weekend, barring injuries.

“I know how we're going to play. It's almost written what's going to occur. I can't wait to get started."

Former Blues winger Reggie Lambe is a member of Mariner's Toronto squad having joined them in the summer after his release by Town.

Photo: Action Images

LancsBlue added 20:12 - Jun 7 Mmmm. Must be summer. A bit short of stories?
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rgp1 added 20:33 - Jun 7 An absolute club legend, the only thing that disappointed me was when he made his coaching debut at Plymouth against town a couple of seasons ago. He appeared to have picked up that awful American style of waving his arms around and running up and down the technical area making gestures to his players.
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Whitecaps_Fan added 20:42 - Jun 7 The crazy thing about Toronto FC (who are a terribly badly run club) is that they went on a run of 9 league game, losing them all, then they go and win one league game and beat my beloved Vancouver Whitecaps over 2 legs for the Canadian Championship, then they decide to sack Winter. TFC as they are known (cos the North Americas like to abbreviate everything) are now 7 managers in 6 years! So PM joins Frank Yallop as an ex Ipswich legend running a MLS club. We (the league) also have two ex players who are successful pundits, Craig Forrest & Jason deVos

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Talbs77 added 20:48 - Jun 7 God someone tell me who's bothered!! I dont care if he's about to become the new model of the latest Just For Men advert, lets have a few more interesting stories rather than this please.
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WickedBlue added 21:32 - Jun 7 I'm always interested in what ITFC legends are doing. Having watched Paul play for us wish we had a striker of his calibre today. If your not interested in the story then why ick on the link ? The only reason I can think of is because your an idiot.
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Crock added 21:37 - Jun 7 @Whitecaps_Fan "So PM joins Frank Yallop as an ex Ipswich legend running a MLS club." You better replace the word legend with player if you want to be correct.
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south_aussie_blue added 21:49 - Jun 7 Legend - sill got the puma poster he signed for me in Clacton Mick McNeils in 81 hanging in my shed, it's looking a bit old now though as is he as is I.
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62WasBest added 22:54 - Jun 7 "WickedBlue" - Agree with your comment in general but I think you could have added that, at this time of the Euros, even England wish they had a striker of his calibre today!
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TractorBeezer added 22:56 - Jun 7 We (Toronto FC) badly need a change. Am hoping that PM does the business here just like he did for Ipswich Town. He certainly knows where the net is (or was)!
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ipswichm8 added 22:59 - Jun 7 what the hell is he doing there anyway
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michaeldownunder added 23:02 - Jun 7 I like to hear what our ex players are now doing Maybe you should post it on a ex players where are they now page So the moaners don't have to click on it
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VanIsleBlue added 23:27 - Jun 7 Being from BC I like to follow he Whitecaps (Whymark, Lambert etc.) actually I just met John Furlong who is now the CEO and told him about my beloved Ipswich. I really want TFC to do well and hope Mariner does the business
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Guthrum added 23:30 - Jun 7 Still my favourite ITFC player of all time.
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TractorBeezer added 23:54 - Jun 7 VanIsleBlue, don't forget Frans Thiessen who also played for the Whitecaps. There were some very entertaining evenings in Vancouver.
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petersongoal added 00:05 - Jun 8 Was lucky enough to chat to Mariner not long ago, a very nice man and I'm sure he'll do well, especially after his success with my beloved New England Revolution. Ease up on the MLS hatred here guys, try watching a game before dismissing the league. I used to moan about it and now I love it so much i write for MLS UK. We should be proud to have a town legend doing the business over there.

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algarvefan added 00:09 - Jun 8 The internet is a brilliant tool.....sadly too many other type of 'tools' post on here. For those of us old enough to remember Paul Mariner in his playing days, he was a great striker for Ipswich and England and deserves more respect from the 'tool shed'. Phil I want to know about ex-players, if some don't, then don't read it.....you don't have to....idiots!
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ozzydog added 05:42 - Jun 8 Think I would like to here about a true Ipswich legend rather then some of the no marks we have wearing the shirt nowadays. There seems to be an awful lot of divs amongst the Town support nowadays
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awayfan added 08:28 - Jun 8 Thanks for this story Phil, hopefully the majority of the comments above indicate that lots of us are interested in it
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itfchorry added 14:32 - Jun 8 I'd walk a million miles just for one of your goals - Paul Mariner
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itfchorry added 14:32 - Jun 8 I'd walk a million miles just for one of your goals - Paul Mariner
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dannysigma added 17:59 - Jun 8 Anyone who is a proper Ipswich fan will care about what the legends from the past are doing now. I will always care about Mariner and what he's doing. And, from now on, I have another team to look out for and root for on the international scene. How is that a bad thing?
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