Klinsmann to Replace Yallop?

By: Laurie | August 27th, 2007

We all know somebody’s going to have to take the fall for this disaster of a season, right? The only question seems to be who will draw the short straw — Frank Yallop or Alexi Lalas or both?

Most recent rumors are listing Frank Yallop as the one on the losing end of this tussle.

Right now everything is still in the rumor stage, of course. (Seriously, the name of the site is “MLS Rumors.”) Although it’s now also showing up in the British Times Online. But these rumors are saying that Yallop will head out the door and former Germany National Team coach Jürgen Klinsmann will replace him. And the fact that Klinsmann already lives in LA is adding fuel to the fire.

I like Klinsmann. I think he’s a good coach. But I can’t help but think that Yallop is really getting shafted here. He’s had so many decisions forced on him that he had no control over, like the backloaded schedule, and (reportedly) all of the midseason trades that brought in players over thirty whose bodies can’t hold up to twice-weekly games. And yet he was supposed to wave his magic wand and make wins appear out of thin air.

Sure he’s made mistakes. Exhibit A: Playing Beckham the full ninety against Chivas. But that’s the kind of mistake people tend to make when they’re forced into the corner with no good options. I’m not saying it’s the wrong decision to get rid of Yallop, but it will seem wrong if he’s the only scapegoat to take the fall. There has been more than enough bad decision-making to go around in Galaxy-land this year.

So, according to our rumor site, how is Frank taking the news?

MLSR has learned through a trusted source that Frank Yallop, coach of the LA Galaxy was asked to turn in his resignation after Sunday’s game vs Colorado. “Yallop seemed almost relieved when he received the news. He has been under a great deal of stress and it looked as if the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders.”

Can you blame him? Here’s hoping for a soft landing in San Jose, Frank.

(Thanks to Chris for the link.)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

« Colorado 3-0 Galaxy | Home | That Chivas Brawl »

Jan

Elle: The Bundesliga clubs keep the jobs separated as well in 90% of all cases.
elle

I think it's funny that in any other league the jobs that Yallop and Lalas occupy are one and the same.
mirna

Lalas needs to go. Plain and simple. If you look at his record, it shows his lack of understanding of what managing a team means. I keep thinking about what kind of experience this guys has...he played for our national team and he was a decent defender but a manager. I think it takes more that understanding soccer to be a good manager.

I feel sorry for Yallop...but he's on his way out and I can't stop thinking that he's probably happy about that.
El Toro

The League does NOT NEED LA to be successful. And, furthermore its sweet justice that the GALs are in such poor form, considering all the special treatment they get from the League.

That said, there are some quality individuals on the team that deserve much better from their organization. History will show that hiring Lalas as GM was huge blunder, and mark his years at the Galaxy as a laughable failure.
Martha

I just can't imagine why Klinsmann would take any MLS job. I know he lives in LA but, really, is that enough of a reason? Surely he's had offers of gigs that didn't require him to talk to Alexi Lalas.
Diane

I agree, Laurie, Yallop is probably the person in who yielded the least real power during this transition. Going up the line to the corporate powers who preferred Beckham's face marketing for them, than his ankle rehabbed to play for them, probably won't do any good since its hard to fire the guys that pay the bills.

Yallop may or may not be a good coach, but I agree about the pressures on him to make whatever poor decisions he made, and even before I started paying a whole lot of attention it was pretty clear that he wasn't that thrilled about those three weeks of player-trading hysteria.
Geoff

I hope its Lalas because that team is poorly put together. I am curious if Beckham wishes he would have gone to New York or DC even instead of this crappy roster of players. What a joke, Yallop is not to blame. It is Lalas, he is more of a promoter than a GM.

Klinsmann sounds good, but when you don't have the players necessary, I do not care who is coaching. Beckham and Donovan need help around them. PLEASE!! The league NEEDS LA to be successful.
jenl

I feel badly for Yallop too. Lalas is really an arrogant #*&@% and it makes me nuts that he has his job. I wish they would move him or fire him, the latter not likely to happen.
Nathanhj

Todd,

How much more proven a coach do you need than one who has won MLS titles? Yallop was far and away Lalas' best move ever as a GM anywhere.

Too bad everything else he touches turns to a steaming pile of crap.
bluemeanies

Lalas's track record was such that he only has a job because AEG likes him so much (or the compromising photos of Liewiecke). He ran the metrostars and exasperated that teams perpetually mediocrity then after being given a second chance in San Jose presided over the team moving (although Kinnear did manage to keep together a supporters shield winner followed by the 2006 champions). And now he's in charge of his second 'super-club' (what, Lalas called NY a superclub long before LA) and proving that the problems in NY were not simply NY being NY but that Lalas is not a good manager. Even in the worst part of their slump and their perpetual hating on Guppy the Chicago fans would have rejected an AEG shuffle bringin Lalas there.
matt

lalas is horrible at the part of his job that matters most, putting a good team on the field.
Todd Pounds

Blame:
Injuries (Uncontrollible Noise)- 40%

Lalas (Poor Team Building General Management) - 40%
-Lalas is a good interview and talks a good game, but I'm not sure that he knows how to build a team?

Yallop - 20% - He is an ok professional coach at best when comparing him to other professional coaches. How bad was that Chivas beckham decision. Many of his decisions are driven by injuries though!

Someone must take the fall though! I would get rid of both Yallop and Lalas if I owned the Galaxy and bring in a general manager that doesn't like to talk so much and a more proven coach.