Despite winning just six MLS matches last season, Toronto FC is in a fairly solid position according to head coach Ryan Nelsen.
The Canadian club appointed former Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham and QPR defender Nelsen prior to the 2013 MLS season but their on-field woes continued as they finished 17th of 19 clubs.
However, ex-New Zealand international Nelsen felt his restructure of the playing roster and release of some highly-paid players was necessary in order for a stable future at the BMO Field.
"We had five players that were taking up 81 per cent of the wage bill and three of those players couldn't take the field, for various reasons. The club was just stuck with these bad contracts," Nelsen told the NZ Herald.
"We had to stop the bleeding. We had to try and provide a base for the future. The fans and media can get on top of you but you need to stick to your guns. It's not about me, it's about the club.
"Even if I did get fired, the club will be in good shape in terms of the playing personnel and the salary cap situation; I'm quite proud of the transformation here."
But on the flipside, Nelsen is well aware that he could lose his job if results don't change immediately at the beginning of the 2014 campaign.
"They won't give me much more time," Nelsen said. "It was pretty awful here when I arrived and we are in much better shape now but we will have to start turning things around soon."
