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Tommy Wheeldon Jr. is on the short list for Canada Soccer’s vacant men’s head coach position. Postmedia has learned.
So what would it take for the city’s soccer guru to leave Calgary and Cavalry FC?
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Perhaps just that coveted position, and no other, as head coach of the senior men’s national team.
“I think it’s my dream job,” said the Chief of Cavalry, refusing to confirm that he is on the national body’s radar to replace John Herdman, who He left Canada’s top men’s team more than a year ago to take on head coaching duties for Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.
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“I think it should be an absolute honor for anyone to be associated with the leadership of the Canadian national team, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching,” Wheeldon continued. “And I believe that the person who takes on that role will be blessed with an emerging generation of talent and a passionate Canadian fan scene that will be seen expanding from coast to coast while also being responsible for inspiring the next generation to ensure that Let’s have more of these experiences.”
The shortlist of candidates, which definitely includes Wheeldon, 44, is said to also include CPL pundit Bobby Smyrniotis of Forge FC and former France superstar and former Montreal Impact coach Thierry Henry.
Callum Vurley talkSPORT.com reported Tuesday that Former England international and two-time Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has withdrawn from the race for the job after being declared “a surprise candidate for the job.”
tThe current interim coach of the national team, Mauro Biello— Also a former Impact coach, he is considered the favorite and has made it clear that he wants the job. The former Canada assistant has coached the team since Herdman’s departure and has led the country’s team to the CONMEBOL Copa América, which began in late June in the United States.
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All of this hype comes amid Wheeldon’s decision to re-sign with the Cavalry for another three seasons.
The Calgary club made that commitment ahead of the Canadian Premier League campaign, which continues Saturday for the Cavalry (0-1) against host Atlético Ottawa (1-0) at TD Place (noon MT, OneSoccer. OneSoccer.ca).
“A lot of things in professional sports are difficult, working alongside Tommy Wheeldon Jr. is not,” said Cavalry President Ian Allison. “Having Tommy continue to lead our club was an easy decision. Tommy is part of Cavalry FC’s DNA and he has been since we started this journey in 2018.
“His success on the field is obvious,” Allison continued. “He has recruited, mentored and trained over 100 players, coaches and support staff through our system, and we are delighted to have him do so for at least the next three years. His belief in the game, this community, the Canadian Premier League and our club’s values, goals and objectives align perfectly. “We are delighted that he will continue to play a vital role in the next chapters of Cavalry FC’s history.”
Just like Wheeldon, if “your dream job” doesn’t materialize.
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And those are few and far between, he says.
Not even a possible appointment with Everton FC of the English Premier League would keep him away from Calgary.
“It would take a lot to leave,” Wheeldon admitted. “I feel connected to the fans. I have seen the Footsoldiers grow exponentially, along with the relationships I have with many of the people in this great city. I feel connected to the vision of our owners (Spruce Meadows), Linda Southern-Heathcott, in particular, and Ian Allison, who do so much for our community and beyond. I feel connected to the players whose opportunities we have given them and have seen players like Sergio Camargo and Marco Carducci continue here too, while founding players and guys like Charlie Trafford, Willy Akio and Brad Kamdem return to Calgary to be part of this journey. I think what you always try to do is give players opportunities, and we’ve seen that with Mo Farsis, Victor Loturis, Aribim Pepples, Dominick Zators, Joel Watermans…
“I’ve seen Leon Hapgood go on and become an assistant coach in New York City, having helped me build this club, Nick Ledgerwood, my first signing and now he’s our assistant coach. And Jay Wheeldon, my brother, also played for us and now trains with me. Mason Trafford, Oliver Minatel, Tofa Fakunle are guys who have worn the red of our shirt and are now working to help grow the club.
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“I think what makes this club so great is the belief in giving back, so you know that once we open the way, the fans will have something in 10, 15, 20 years for their children and their grandchildren. And I think our mission is to make sure that we are sustainable, that we are successful and that we are here to stay.”
It’s a path that began with a vision a few decades ago, after trying to make it as a professional player with the Calgary Storm, coached by his father, Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
The genesis of Cavalry came with the help of people like Hapgood, Danny Hay and Mike Mikuska, who helped build Calgary Foothills FC’s pro-am arm to compete in the USL PDL in 2015, which caught the attention of the Southerns: the founding family of Spruce Meadows Sports & Entertainment, which owns the club.
And from there has emerged an entity that makes Wheeldon proud.
“Yes… it’s an honor for me to be able to represent this football club and this city,” Wheeldon added. “I have a great affection for the city of Calgary and its surroundings, because I have spent half my life here. I arrived in 2002 to try to play professional football on this side of the world and I fell in love with the place and the people. My wife, Veronica, and my children Beaux, Tatum and Jax are here from Calgary, and Calgary is my home and where my heart is.
“It is a great adventure we are living now. I’m grateful to have an ownership group like that Southern family that believes in their community and makes a difference not only nationally but globally, and it’s easy to align with them.
“And for such a short story, we’ve done very well. But we also have a lot to strive for, and that is what keeps me hungry and, for that reason, I have signed another contract for three more years.”
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