Giovinco's unhappy divorce: The aftermath

Sebastian Giovinco’s parting shot on social media at Toronto FC after his transfer to Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal on Wednesday did not sit well with Toronto FC president Bill Manning.

Manning took exception to Giovinco's farewell post on Instagram that TFC's "offer and lack of transparency is a clear message. It seems management prefers to focus on things other than the pure desire to win."

"At the end of the day," Manning told The Canadian Press, "I think it’s a player [that] didn’t get his way and he lashed out at the team."

Manning said Giovinco's agent, Andrea D’Amico, never said his client would accept anything less than he was already making but he was surprised that Giovinco then said he was going to make less in Saudi Arabia.

"Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable," said Giovinco. "They may say I left for a more lucrative deal, but this is not the case."

Manning's response: "In my opinion, you’re not moving to Saudi Arabia for the lifestyle."

TFC held an option on Giovinco in 2020 but chose not to exercise it, preferring to re-negotiate.

The ending to the MLS career of one of its greatest stars did not sit well with everyone in Toronto. Globe & Mail columnist Cathal Kelly blamed TFC owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for moving on from Toronto FC after it become a championship team and making an austerity move with Giovinco:

"Perhaps more than any other athlete, Giovinco helped bury all those corrosive ideas about local sports culture. And now, as a way of saying thank you, MLSE gets to bury him."

View this post on Instagram

Toronto has been home to me and my family for almost 5 years. I arrived here from Italy in January 2015 and immediately felt something special. From day one, I worked hard to repay the opportunity that Toronto had given me. From that first year, I realized that we could do great things here. Through hard work, passion and determination my teammates and I transformed TFC and made it one of the best clubs in MLS and in North America. We didn’t do this alone. Without our great fans this would not have been possible. I can confidently say that I significantly contributed in making unprecedented history at TFC. We wrote a new chapter in the club’s history, together. All for One. This journey has been a wonderful experience for my family and me. It’s without hesitation that I can say that I wanted it to end differently. As I have always maintained, I was hoping to renew my contract and finish my playing career in a city that feels like home. It is here where my daughter was born and where my son took his first steps on a football pitch. A place my family loves to live and wanted to call home for good. Unfortunately, this desire of ours has clashed with a change in direction with current TFC management. For the 2 years I have been seeking to extend my contract however management was reluctant. Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable. They may say I left for a more lucrative deal, but this is not the case. Their offer and lack of transparency is a clear message. It seems management prefers to focus on things other than the pure desire to win. After having grown the brand and elevating the overall reputation of TFC both at home and abroad, it seems I no longer serve a purpose. I would have accepted less to stay in Toronto. Therefore, I reluctantly announce that my tenure as a TFC player has come to an end. I will now focus my attention and efforts towards another challenge. With me I bring beautiful memories. Toronto - the 6ix - you are and will always remain in my heart. Thank you for everything you have taught me about myself and about life. I love you Toronto! Seba

A post shared by Sebastian Giovinco (@sebagiovincoofficial) on

5 comments about "Giovinco's unhappy divorce: The aftermath".
  1. beautiful game, February 1, 2019 at 9:10 a.m.

    Gio should have done his homework on living conditions and culture shock, especially concerning  his family. A more in-depth analysis would have been more appropriate.

  2. frank schoon replied, February 1, 2019 at 9:45 a.m.

    BG, 32 is still young for this league and considering what kind of player he is and what he has done for Toronto, I think management should look in the mirror. 

  3. Bob Ashpole replied, February 4, 2019 at 12:52 a.m.

    I agree with Frank.

  4. John Soares, February 1, 2019 at 1:21 p.m.

    Really, TFC would not pick up the option on one of the best players in the league!? With that kind of performance/record. Says everything about the "new direction". bg, that may have been a TFC bluff, fans lose.

  5. Craig Cummings, February 1, 2019 at 7:39 p.m.

    My mom comes from Toronto and I follow Toronto FC as much as I can.  This is very bad for Toronto FC and MLS. I can not believe they let this great player go. Shame on bill Manning. MLS lost 2 big time players in 1 day. At least Atlanta got 23 million.

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