Superstar manager

I like the premise of this Paul Oberjuerge column on Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit.

One Los Angeles sports franchise believes it hired a hugely famous manager.


And one actually did.


And his name isn't Joe Torre. It's Ruud Gullit.


It's funny how Joe Torre is a name and a face well-known in this country but outside these borders few know the Dodgers' newest manager. But conversely, Gullit is quite the famous soccer figure outside of Los Angeles.


It's just another strange twist of soccer in the United States, where the mega-famous can live in relative obscurity. It's something I'm going to explore at some point this season for The Press-Enterprise.


There are exceptions, though. Claudio Suarez of Chivas USA is a fairly recognizable figure, depending on where he goes, in Southern California. And of course Becks is recognizable everywhere he goes.


But for the most part, soccer figures can count on living as just another face here in this country.