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2012 London Olympics

The View from the North: Is John Herdman planning to jump ship?

Canada coach John Herdman is might have his eyes on the England job. (Photo copyright Meg Linehan for The Equalizer)

It’s not that Canadian women’s national team head coach — and Newcastle, England, native — John Herdman is looking for a way to get out of his role with Canada, but it sure seems that way.

In an article on BBC Sport, Herdman said, “If the English FA ring me up, it’s my homeland, and if they say ‘we need your help’ I’m going to consider that.”

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Translation: Herdman may have his eyes on England as his next stop.

In 2011, Herdman took over the coaching reigns in Canada, guiding them to a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics. Canada is the host country of the upcoming 2015 FIFA World Cup. His decision to test the waters of England’s interest in him couldn’t have come at a more curious time.

He went on to tell BBC Sport, “I’ve got a job to do here and the more time I spend thinking about other jobs, the less chance I’ve got of being successful.”

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Prior to coaching Canada, Herdman had a stint as head coach of New Zealand’s women’s national team.

England fired Hope Powell on Tuesday after 15 years coaching the women’s national team. Powell guided the national team to quarterfinal finishes in the 2007 and 2011 FIFA world cups.

It is unclear whether Herdman sparked this rumor of possibly heading to England. Despite his claims of focusing on his job with the Canadian national team, in the back of his mind, that job opening in England seems to be piquing his interest.

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“Until a job is presented there is no point even talking. I’m just honored that someone would even think of a little lad from Newcastle to be even considered for a position like that.”

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