Landon Trashes Lalas over Yallop Decision. Is He Heading Out Too?

By: Laurie | November 5th, 2007

Landon Donovan was quite outspoken (if a bit oblique) in his criticism of Alexi Lalas yesterday. Seems Landon is not at all happy that Frank Yallop is leaving the Galaxy for San Jose. From Billy Witz at LA Daily News:

Donovan said Yallop, whom he helped lead to the two titles in San Jose, was made a scapegoat, instead thinly veiling his criticism at Lalas. “Frank is probably the last one that should have gone,” Donovan said. “He’s been handcuffed all year. That’s unfortunate for him. He’s a damn good coach and he’s been unable to show it.”

Asked who handcuffed him, Donovan said: “You can figure it out. He wasn’t allowed to be a coach. People were trying to make decisions for him.”

People above Lalas? (The Galaxy is owned by sports entertainment conglomerate AEG)

“No,” Donovan said. “I consider Frank a friend. As a professional, I feel sorry for him that he went through this because it’s unfair. But as a person I’m glad he got away from this. Unless some things changed, he was never going to be given the real opportunity to be a coach.”

Pointed comments to aim at one’s boss, no? Not the kind of thing someone says if he’s trying not to make waves. Is Landon attempting to send a message?

Oh. Wait. That last one could be answered with, “Duh.” I guess the real question is, what is that message?

And most important, could Bianca still be an actress from San Jose?

P.S. I love reporter Billy Witz. How does he get the players to say these kinds of things?

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Comments  

• Ian |  November 5th, 2007 at 11:43 am

  
  
  

  I have no experience with Witz, but yeah, that’s a great quote to get from a player. I’d say Landycakes could well be headed out. He must think of himself as worthy of being a star on an MLS team, and it’s a bit hard to imagine any star at the Gals getting any attention above a healthy Becks. We’ll see.

  Posted from United States

  

• Bob |  November 5th, 2007 at 11:54 am

  
  
  

  Landon knows the way to San Jose.

  Posted from United States

  

• justjack |  November 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

  
  
  

  Bianca can do the LA-Bay schlep… Southwest is cheap and easy- $50 One way and under two hours. Half the Pixar staff does the LA-Oakland commute (my brother finally bought stock in Southwest, he flies it so damned much).

  As much as Lando pisses me off, and strikes me as just plain bizarre (those OCD-esque finger-turf-kissing rites), it would be weird not to see him at HDC. He’s been around long enough to be an LA dude… OTOH, off ya’ go, Lando.

  Will there be a spanky new futbol stadium in San Jose or are they going back to that bizarre college stadium they had before?

  Posted from United States

  

• justjack |  November 5th, 2007 at 12:26 pm

  
  
  

  Re: Billy… yeah, the guy does have the knack for getting boys to spill, doesn’t he? Impressive.

  Posted from United States

  

• celtic bhoy |  November 5th, 2007 at 12:41 pm

  
  
  

  got to agree with Ian on this one, looks like old Donovans looking for an out, its got to be tough losing the spotlight, he should go to San Jose … always love seeing a manager that was “forced out” take some talent with him

  Posted from United States

  

• melissa |  November 5th, 2007 at 4:04 pm

  
  
  

  Ugh, I’m not ready to accept Donovan in San Ho. But sadly, you guys are very perceptive (as usual). Yallop loves his players and Landycakes is one of them.

  And just trade the San Jose State stadium for the Santa Clara Univerity stadium until everyone finally gets all their ducks in a row and construction finally begins on the SSS. Damnit… someone needs to start blogging about San Ho for this site.

  Oooh, so is Pixar really going to stay in Emeryville now? I live down the street from them. A friend and I were just discussing this last week.

  Posted from United States

  

• George |  November 5th, 2007 at 4:55 pm

  
  
  

  Donovan was playing quite pathetically yesterday. I don’t know if it was the goal difference or Yallop.

  Posted from United States

  

• melissa |  November 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm

  
  
  

  Yup – leave it to the folks over at bigsoccer. They are already hashing out the fan’s contract with Donovan should he for realsies return. Some of the demands are pretty funny.

  Posted from United States

  

• CentralCoaster |  November 5th, 2007 at 8:20 pm

  
  
  

  I’m not a big Landon Donovan fan, but today he has made me proud. I hope AEG is listening. Fire Lalas now.

  Posted from United States

  

Comments are closed