Toronto FC chief Paul Mariner says Orlando City coach Adrian Heath shook hands on becoming assistant coach this week.

But the former Everton and Stoke City star then chose to remain in charge at USL Orlando.

"As far as we were concerned, the deal had a handshake on Thursday," Mariner told the league's official website.

"A handshake as far as we're concerned is a done deal, but obviously not as far as he is concerned."