By Robin Cottle for MailOnline Former Tottenham defender Ryan Nelsen has been fired as coach of Toronto FC after their 3-0 defeat to the New England Revolution on Saturday. Nelsen, who lured the likes of Jermain Defoe to Major League Soccer, departs with his team still in contention to make the play-offs. But it seems critical comments about Toronto general manager Tim Bezbatchenko after Saturday's defeat may have contributed to his departure. Sacked: Ryan Nelsen has been fired from his first managerial job at Toronto FC 1 - D.C United (46 pts) 2 - Sporting Kansas City (42)
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Toronto FC lost 3-0 to New England Revolution on Saturday in the MLS
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Canadian was still in MLS play-off contention after joining in January 2013
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Ex-New Zealand international spent almost ten years playing in the Premier League for Blackburn and Tottenham Hotspur
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Former United States international Greg Vanney will take over
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Nelsen unhappy with comments made by Toronto general manager Tim Bezbatchenko
'Those comments (@placeholder made) were excuses, and we are not in the excuse business,' Bezbatchenko said in announcing Nelsen's departure.