Victor Wanyama’s future hangs in the balance as CF Montreal boss promises major squad overhaul

CF Montreal midfielder Victor Wanyama (2) plays the ball during the first half of the game against the Columbus Crew at Stade Saputo on September 9, 2022.

Victor Wanyama’s future hangs in the balance as CF Montreal boss promises major squad overhaul

Joel Omotto 14:45 - 27.10.2024

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama faces a bleak future at CF Montreal after club CEO promised changes in the squad with Kenyan midfielder among out-of-contract players.

Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama looks to have ended his spell with MLS club CF Montreal after the club decided to stick with coach Laurent Courtois while promising changes in the squad.

Wanyama has been on the fringes this season, making just 15 appearances across all competitions, with his last league match coming on July 18, and with his contract ending in December, it appears he is among players who are on their way out.

Montreal’s season ended in the playoffs last week when they lost 5-4 on post-match penalties to Atlanta United, following a 2-2 draw in regulation time in their wild card game, but the club has decided against sacking Courtois, deciding to back him with a squad overhaul instead.

The club have 11 players out of contract with Wanyama and top scorer Josef Martinez, the club’s highest earners, among them and while the striker is still wanted, he is looking for pastures new at a club where he could challenge for trophies.

That leaves fringe players like Wanyama on the chopping board as it looks unlikely that Courtois will sanction a contract extension for a player he has deemed surplus to requirements and the club appears to agree with him on the need for changes.

“I’ll tell you right now: there are going to be some changes in the roster,” CF Montreal CEO Gabriel Gervais told Canadian Soccer Daily while showing great faith in Courtois.

“I’ve always trusted him. It’s important to win, but it’s more the things you try to do. It’s the person he is and who he wants to become that’s important. Does he represent our club well? Those are all things that I look at, beyond the wins and losses. The project continues for next year at least, I hope more.”

The coach is delighted that he will continue with his project in 2025 as he looks to lift the club.

“I’ll be here in 2025. I’m very happy,” said Courtois. “We hope that with what we were able to do this year, we are ahead on certain points. I arrived a few days before the season started… Now, we have the luxury of doing some work. It’s precious.”

Wanyama joined Montreal from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in March 2020 and after three years, he was handed a new two-year deal that runs to the end of the 2024 campaign.