Home
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Log inGalaxy coach Gullit resigns, Lalas heads out
Galaxy coach Gullit resigns, Lalas heads out
maladfutbol on Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:03 am
LOS ANGELES, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The flagging fortunes of the Los Angeles Galaxy, who are captained by England midfielder David Beckham, were dealt a further blow on Monday when the team’s head coach Ruud Gullit resigned for personal reasons.
Dutchman Gullit, who was appointed last November, will be replaced on an interim basis by first-year assistant coach Cobi Jones, the club said in a statement.
In a related move, Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas, instrumental in luring Beckham to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club in July last year, has been fired from his job.
A former United States international in his playing days, Lalas was “relieved of his duties effective immediately”, the club said.
“With Ruud moving on, we believe that this is the right time to make more sweeping changes throughout the organisation,” Timothy J. Leiweke, head of Galaxy’s investors/operators AEG, said in a statement.
“Our commitment continues to be focused on not only winning the MLS Cup this and every season but to build a club capable of competing at the international level.
“This decision is the right one for the organisation, the right one for the players and the right one for our fans.
“We thank Alexi for the tremendous hard work and dedication he brought to his job each and every day.”
RAISED EXPECTATIONS
Gullit’s presence, along with the arrival of Beckham last season, had raised expectations for the club.
Although they made a promising start to this campaign, they are in the midst of a seven-game winless streak and lie fourth in the MLS Western Conference.
Their defence has been particularly poor, conceding a league-high 40 goals in 19 games.
“In truth, it has proved a lot more difficult than I anticipated for my family to settle in the area and the club has been very supportive and understanding of my decision,” Gullit said in a statement.
“I would like to thank the players and the fans for their fantastic support and I wish the LA Galaxy much success in the future,” the former Chelsea, Newcastle United and Feyenoord coach added.
“I would now like to spend some time with my family before considering any other position in football.”
Gullit’s temporary replacement, 37-year-old Jones, holds the club record in terms of appearances (306), goals (70) and assists (91). His first game in charge will be Thursday’s derby against city rivals Chivas USA.
Galaxy’s director of soccer Paul Bravo was retained, along with assistant general manager Tom Payne. (Additional reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Trevor Huggins and John O’Brien)
By Jahmal Corner
Dutchman Gullit, who was appointed last November, will be replaced on an interim basis by first-year assistant coach Cobi Jones, the club said in a statement.
In a related move, Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas, instrumental in luring Beckham to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club in July last year, has been fired from his job.
A former United States international in his playing days, Lalas was “relieved of his duties effective immediately”, the club said.
“With Ruud moving on, we believe that this is the right time to make more sweeping changes throughout the organisation,” Timothy J. Leiweke, head of Galaxy’s investors/operators AEG, said in a statement.
“Our commitment continues to be focused on not only winning the MLS Cup this and every season but to build a club capable of competing at the international level.
“This decision is the right one for the organisation, the right one for the players and the right one for our fans.
“We thank Alexi for the tremendous hard work and dedication he brought to his job each and every day.”
RAISED EXPECTATIONS
Gullit’s presence, along with the arrival of Beckham last season, had raised expectations for the club.
Although they made a promising start to this campaign, they are in the midst of a seven-game winless streak and lie fourth in the MLS Western Conference.
Their defence has been particularly poor, conceding a league-high 40 goals in 19 games.
“In truth, it has proved a lot more difficult than I anticipated for my family to settle in the area and the club has been very supportive and understanding of my decision,” Gullit said in a statement.
“I would like to thank the players and the fans for their fantastic support and I wish the LA Galaxy much success in the future,” the former Chelsea, Newcastle United and Feyenoord coach added.
“I would now like to spend some time with my family before considering any other position in football.”
Gullit’s temporary replacement, 37-year-old Jones, holds the club record in terms of appearances (306), goals (70) and assists (91). His first game in charge will be Thursday’s derby against city rivals Chivas USA.
Galaxy’s director of soccer Paul Bravo was retained, along with assistant general manager Tom Payne. (Additional reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Trevor Huggins and John O’Brien)
By Jahmal Corner
maladfutbol- Posts: 21
Join date: 2008-07-25 
Permissions of this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum