The LA Galaxy have formally set a press conference for Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at 12 PM to announce their pick for Head Coach. LA Galaxy President Chris Klein, LA Galaxy General Manager Peter Vagenas, and AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman will all be in attendance at the American Express Stadium Club, at StubHub Center to
LA Galaxy President Chris Klein, LA Galaxy General Manager Peter Vagenas, and AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman will all be in attendance at the American Express Stadium Club, at StubHub Center to do the honors.
It is widely expected and speculated that the new LA Galaxy Head Coach will be Curt Onalfo. He’s been rumored the front runner since Bruce Arena’s departure and it doesn’t look like anyone was able to move him away from his position. Onalfo is the current Head Coach for LA Galaxy II and has had head coaching stints with Kansas City and DC United. He’s also assisted under Bruce Arena on both an MLS and National Team level.
I’ve been told by many people that the players like and respect him and that he’s a guy who commands the best from his players. He’s not afraid to get after guys who he thinks aren’t cutting it, and he holds everyone accountable.
However, Onalfo’s Head Coaching career had had more than a few bumps in the road. His record with Kansas City was 27-29-22 in three seasons. He was hired and fired by current Sporting KC Head Coach and General Manager Peter Vermes. With DC United, Onalfo lasted less than a single season, with his team going 3-12-3 before he was fired mid-season.
He’s been an LA Galaxy Assistant Coach since 2011 and was given the Head Coaching job for the LA Galaxy’s USL affiliate, since the team’s creation in 2014.
Onalfo will join newly promoted General Manger Peter Vagenas in re-building a team that has seen Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Landon Donovan and Head Coach Bruce Arena leave since the conclusion of the 2016 season.
On their plates will be filling two open Designated Player spots and spending a newly increased $1.2 million dollars in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) that the league just announced. And while a large majority of the core of the 2016 team will be returning, the additions will have a large impact on what impact the LA Galaxy will have on the upcoming season.
But Curt Onalfo is not expected to have a long leash. With 2017 marking the final season before LAFC joins Major League Soccer, it’s a very important year to reaffirm the LA Galaxy’s dominance in the market and in Major League Soccer. Any misstep could prove costly to the aura of success the Galaxy have built — winning five MLS Cups since 1996.