Bruce Arena is Officially Introduced as Emperor of All Creation

By: Laurie | August 18th, 2008

So I guess the one way to ensure that there are no power struggles at the top is to make sure that there is only one holder of power. Right?

At least that’s apparently what AEG is hoping for.

Bruce Arena was installed today not just as the expected coach, but as General Manager as well. He’s the one and only who’s replacing both Alexi Lalas and Ruud Gullit.

From the nifty little email that the Galaxy sent me (and, I’m sure, all of you too):

Arena, who becomes the seventh coach in club history, will oversee all of the club’s soccer operations, including the first team, reserve and academy teams and youth development.

Because…yeah. Absolute power never corrupts absolutely. Or anything.

I’m actually very interested in this decision. I think it’s happened because AEG realizes that a lot of the Galaxy’s problems in the Beckham era were the result of power struggles. Alexi vs. Frank, Alexi vs. Ruud… And possibly, if some reports are to be believed, some or all of the above vs David Beckham or “Beckham’s people.” Whoever they might be.

In theory, cut the number of people in charge and you cut the potential for conflict.

In theory.

I’ll be very curious to see how this all plays out in real life, and whether putting one strong personality in charge of everything will be the panacea AEG seems to be hoping for.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

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jen

Finally!! I do feel sorry for the guy though.
justin

http://americansoccerreader.co...
Ruiz to TFC! So we should be getting Eddie Lewis soon.
justin

Landon loves Bruce what are you guys talking about.
Martha

I'm not sure his ego will actually fit into the same room as Landon's -- this could be interested.
Diane

RATS, I don't want him to have to get assassinated for Cobi to play a role! Actually, it was good enough that he mentioned those guys, head coaches don't always. A little rich from Landon re respecting the players thought, wasn't Arena famously tough on Donovan.

I'm keeping my hopes up. As we say in Brooklyn, ya neva know..
jen

I like this column from Phil Collin at LA Daily News. His Spinal Tap reference is funny and not far from the truth. He also quotes Arena as saying, "when I get assassinated" referring to his coaching position. Interesting.

http://www.dailynews.com/sport...
Diane

Just Jack, to add to your excellent staff chart, under that system even though what we think of as a coach would be called a the Manager, there are coaches and they are much more active in preparing the players and squad since the manager has those added responsibilities.

My very first thought when I heard that Arena would be GM and related it to the European Manager was, GOOD NEWS FOR COBI! And therefore for the team of course.

My next thought was that Arena's crankiness might work in our favor if he frowns upon team-exhausting promo matches and the like.
justin

Great audio stuff posted on the blog.
http://thelagalaxy.blogspot.co...
elle

he still looks like edward james olmos to me

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi...
JustJack

Yeah, I'm not convinced this is going to do the trick although I hope I'm sorely very very wrong.

Re: Evan's thoughts, actually the GM concept is known outside Europe. (don't you watch Dream Team?) It's just a different name and the division of responsibility is different. IN the British system you have a Chief Executive or CEO who is like a GM (in the case at the 'Bridge, that'd be Peter Kenyon). He/she answers to the board or the owner (in the 'Bridge, that'd be rich-boy Romanov ;-). The Manager is the "coach" and is responsible for making transfers and acquisitions, etc. but the Chief Executive makes the actual deals and signs off on them. But generally the CE heeds his Manager.

With Bruce-as-Emperor, god (if I believed in one) only knows WTF is going to happen. I'm telling y'all we need a guy like Max Dupree to be a GM and a real Manager to be the "coach"... oh wait we did but he was a diva who clashed with rich-boy Tim. That worked well....
TJ

Well it can't get any worse than where the LA Galaxy have been since there championship of 2005. Arena as a GM is an upgrade to that pathetic joke of a GM - Lalas and as a coach he is an upgrade to Ruud (sorry Ruud, really liked you as a player and coach in Europe). Giving my 2 cents worth, I see Arena coaching the Galaxy for a couple of years and grooming Cobi Jones to be the heir apparent - if Cobi even wants to coach - he has never publicly come out to say that he wants to be a head coach one day. Then Arena would stay on as GM / Executive of the LA Galaxy. Sarachan is just there as his sounding board and another experienced coach to work with - since Jones does not have that experience right now.
I will be surprised if the Galaxy make the playoffs this year, but I think the will be a better team next year - it can only get better from here!
Plus, having 1 voice is better for us fans - now we know who to point the finger at. And please, please, please Tim Leweike keep your hands off now! Let Arena do his job - go f-up the LA Kings some more.
Pedro

HELP US BRUCE!!
Laurie

Bruce, Nick Greene over at 100% soccer said that Arena says that bringing in Lewis will be one of his priorities.
Bruce

Hey Bruce:

Where in the crap is Eddie Lewis?????????????????????
Soto

I am not familiar with all of the GM's responsibilities, but it does seem wise that the coach control the hiring/firing of the players. If the coach can't pick his team, then he's hog-tied before a game is even played.

Of course, the are probably many more responsibilities assigned to the GM, so my only worry is that Arena has now taken on a lot of work. Hopefully he's good at delegating to people with good experience. I know little about him, so I have no idea if my hope is well-founded or futile.
Glen

Over at Fox Sports it talks about Arena being the new sheriff of the Galaxy, but it also reads:

"Former U.S. coach Bruce Arena was hired on Monday as coach and GM of David Beckham's L.A. Galaxy."

does Beckham own some of the team we don't know about :p
Evan

This seems extreme, but I guess it's more in line with how things are in Europe and most of the rest of the world--the concept of a GM in control of personnel decisions is foreign outside of the US. Just hope that Bruce has some scouting contacts and channels all up and running.