Inter Toronto Football Club have confirmed that head coach Mauro Eustáquio will leave the club at the end of the 2026 campaign and will not return for the 2027 Canadian Premier League (CPL) season.
The announcement, made on Friday, November 6, brings an end to Eustáquio’s spell in charge after two seasons as the club’s permanent head coach.
In an official statement, Inter Toronto thanked the 33-year-old tactician for his leadership, commitment and contribution to the club’s development, particularly his involvement in strengthening its identity and supporting young players through its development pathway.
The departure comes after a challenging 2026 campaign in which Inter Toronto finished sixth in the CPL standings with 30 points, missing out on the playoffs.
According to the Canadian Premier League’s report, Eustáquio leaves with a managerial record of 18 wins, 17 draws and 25 defeats across his two seasons in charge. CPL +1
A promising first season followed by a difficult campaign
Eustáquio’s departure marks the end of a five-year association with the Toronto-based club, dating back to his arrival at the then-York United as an assistant coach in 2022.
He worked under former managers Martin Nash and Benjamín Mora before taking charge as interim manager in 2024. He was subsequently appointed permanent head coach ahead of the 2025 season.
His appointment was historic, making him the first former Canadian Premier League player to become a head coach in the competition and, according to Northern Tribune, the youngest coach in CPL history.
His first full season produced encouraging results. He guided the club into the 2025 playoffs, where York United defeated Halifax Wanderers on penalties in the opening round before their campaign ended against Cavalry FC. His work also earned him a Coach of the Year nomination.
However, the 2026 campaign proved considerably more difficult. Following the club’s rebranding from York United to Inter Toronto, the team struggled for consistency and ultimately finished sixth, recording seven wins, nine draws and 12 defeats.
The club also conceded 65 goals and finished with a negative goal difference of 23, highlighting the defensive challenges that contributed to its disappointing campaign.
José Guadalupe Cruz emerges as an important figure
One development that could shape Inter Toronto’s next coaching appointment is the arrival of experienced Mexican football manager José Guadalupe Cruz.
On August 27, 2026, Inter Toronto announced Cruz’s appointment as Assistant First Team Coach and Director of Sporting Development, with the intention that he would work alongside Eustáquio.
Cruz boasts considerable managerial experience, having coached several Mexican clubs, including Atlante, Monterrey, Morelia, Puebla and Atlas.
His achievements include winning the 2007 Liga MX Apertura title and the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League with Atlante, as well as the 2015 Copa MX with Puebla. CPL
JerseyNumber12 also reported that Cruz took charge of Inter Toronto’s final home match of the season while Eustáquio was abroad obtaining coaching credentials.
Although his growing involvement has attracted attention, Inter Toronto have not officially confirmed Cruz as Eustáquio’s successor.
Inter Toronto have indicated that further announcements concerning their coaching staff will follow in due course.
For Eustáquio, the departure presents an opportunity to pursue the next stage of his coaching career after helping establish himself as one of the youngest managerial figures in Canadian professional football.
Interestingly, he also has international coaching experience. In September 2024, Canada Soccer brought him into the men’s national team coaching setup as a Canadian Coaching Community Representative, making him part of the first coach-player brother pairing in the programme’s history alongside his brother, midfielder Stephen Eustáquio. Canada Soccer Pressroom
The immediate question for Inter Toronto is whether they will promote from within or bring in an entirely new manager as they prepare for the 2027 Canadian Premier League season.
For now, Mauro Eustáquio’s departure is confirmed, but his successor remains unknown.