I think it is fair to say I know John Carver better than anyone in the Toronto media.
I was in Bradenton, Florida for several days and got to know him during his very first camp in February, 2008. I've spent countless hours with him in hotel bars and airports across North America, and even played golf with John.
And yes, I've witnessed his tirades up close and personal. I also chatted with him at length on the phone Saturday, but I couldn't convince him to put himself in front of a camera. He wanted to wait until the dust settled. Instead he seemed to relieved to be spending a warm spring day with his wife strolling through a downtown market.
So on that note, let's set the record straight. John Carver did not quit over a dispute with management at MLSE. He told me, and I believe him, that everyone around that place was first class.
No problem with Mo Johnston. No problem with anyone. I don't like the phrase "personal reasons." What does it mean really? But I can tell you this. Carver had become increasingly frustrated with league officials.
Anyone could see that.
I think he's made a rash decision however.
It seems to me that this is a knee jerk reaction based on something that all managers have to deal with. But it is obvious to all of us in the media who follow the team on a regular basis that this sort of thing was in fact eating him up. But after he finds himself sitting around for a couple of weeks I've got to believe the pull of the game could be hard to deny.
And he will be sitting around. Trust me.
He is not imminently bound for Newcastle. That club is in such a mess right now, hiring an assistant to Alan Shearer who or may not be around next year is hardly high on the priority list. The relegated threatened club has bigger fish to fry.
Carver may have more to say in the coming weeks or he may not. It is hard to say. The fact is, the timing is terrible, and just when things were looking good after that win over Chivas.
