For weeks, it seemed the writing was on the wall for either Ruud Gullit or Alexi Lalas. The Galaxy's terrible results dictated that someone would have to pay the price.
It seems both have as both Gulllit and Lalas are gone.
Gullit resigned for personal reasons while Lalas and AEG have also parted ways.
Gullit had been doing a decent job until lately. He had put his house up for sale so the writing was on the wall. Lalas, meanwhile, had been under fire for quite some time. He survived last year's debacle but could not outlast the club's poor results this season.
Cobi Jones is going to take over for Gullit on an interim basis while Tom Payne and Paul Bravo will assume Lalas' roles.
What do you think about the moves? Surprised? Relieved? Upset?
20 comments:
IMPLOSION!
Kiss this season goodbye, as if I already haven't.
Now that I'm done celebrating, I really think the Galaxy can end the season similar to last year. No Lalas; self explanatory, and no Gullit; by all accounts good on the field but horrible in the locker room.
After Beckham was injured, and everyone basically wrote us off, we went on that amazing winning streak. Of course, we're not in as deep a hole, but hopefully we can pull things together and get a few wins in the coming weeks.
Anything, to combat the coming spate of negative stories on the Galaxy.
As long as AEG is in control, I have no faith in the organization, no matter who they bring in.
They should have never hired Ruud. He knew nothing of US soccer or the MLS and obviously did not know what he was getting himself into. I feel sort of bad for him. Lalas on the other hand had far over stayed his welcome. I am glad the red head is gone. He ruined this team.
Bring Peter Wilt
Horseshit, I really would have liked to have seen what Ruud could do with a balanced team. Hopefully Cobi can pull off a miracle.
Wow, amazing....so much for the MLS's "flagship team"....well the LA GALAXY wanted to be headline news....unfortunately, now they will be - " ESCAPE FROM LA: Ruud & Lalas scurry from the wreckage"....I guess Becks will be returning to England - I hear SAF is looking for a second in command ;D
Finally!!! What a great way to start the week! Looks like AEG finally came to their senses regarding Lalas. Now Clavijo takes over the dubious honor of the most incompetent person in MLS. How long till he gets fired?
Ok. Let's see what Mr. Cobi can do. Certainly he'll have much more repore with the lads. I hope he's not too buddy-buddy with them though. I guess Peter Vagenas can breathe a sigh of relief, briefly perhaps. I wonder what Becks has to say of all this? Involved?
Limey Abroad
bring in bruce arena
OMG!!! Ding Dong The Wicked Witch Is Dead! And so is Howdy Doodle. Andrea where are you? We need you now! It seems your writing less and less. Are you back in school? Please respond captain! Help!
I'm with Evan above. As long as AEG are calling the shots, nothing is going to improve. Expect more of the same bs as long as they are owning the team.
sink or swim time, if tom payne and paul bravo can bring in another player or two to help us out maybe cobi can get this team through the rest of the season.
I think those who blame AEG are forgetting that AEG has been in charge through all the Galaxy glory years, and not just the last three years. The down times coincide with the arrival of Lalas and the shift of focus from on-field success to marketing machine.
The Galaxy is the jewel of MLS . . .
And today that jewel glows a little brighter.
Lalas & Gullit = Great Players, average Managers/Coaches.
Gullit has done some good stuff just ask Edson Buddle... but he never really got the MLS with all it's rules and regulations. Still why lie, about the wife not liking the house ?
As for Lalas, has some less than thrilling trackrecord. I wish him well non the less.
as for Cobi - hopefully he'll stick with the G's trough the "dark" times and they with him and whoever comes after that.
I think those who blame AEG are forgetting that AEG has been in charge through all the Galaxy glory years, and not just the last three years. The down times coincide with the arrival of Lalas and the shift of focus from on-field success to marketing machine.
pj100, you forget that when Doug Hamilton was Galaxy GM, he was told to fire Sigi Schmid because the team was not playing attractively enough despite being first in the Western Conference at the time!
Besides, look at what AEG has done to the Kings...
As far as Bozo the Mad Genius is concerned (gosh, I'm going to hate not using that nickname anymore!)... what goes around, comes around, ginger!
I'm not all that shocked that Gullitt is gone. He always seemed to have snarky comments and generally seemed like he felt like he was slumming it or something.
Of course, I believe AEG told him he'd be fired and he decided to 'resign' instead to maintain some dignity.
He was good at squeezing blood from a stone as LA has done far more this year than they have any right to do. (they are more terrible than they were last year, no doubt)
Lalas is a no brainer. He shouldn't have been hired in the first place and if he is hired by anyone else as anything but a PR guy I'd be shocked. (and that team will deserve the string of last place finishes they end up with.
@Jamie: NEVER. He is the Red Stars GM (women's league) and he's always said it was the Fire or if Milwaukee gets a team. I just wish the Fire would hire him back already.
Lalas and Gullit can't be compared as players - Lalas made headlines, Gullit is a legend; Lalas is doubtful to make the US top-100, Gullit is certainly in the world top-50.
Different classes altogether.
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