It comes as no surprise, at least not if you’re a frequent listener to our podcast, but Bruce Arena has named his US Men’s National Team Coaching staff, and that staff will include former LA Galaxy assistants Dave Sarachan, Pat Noonan, Kenny Arena, and Matt Reis.
This leaves the LA Galaxy’s coaching staff completely depleted. And it adds to the long list of players and coaches that have departed since the season’s conclusion in 2016.
Perhaps the biggest loss is LA Galaxy Associate Head Coach Dave Sarachan who was an early front-runner for the open head coaching position. But Sarachan departed the club shortly after the season, claiming that it wasn’t any relation to Bruce Arena’s rumored takeover of the US Socer head coaching job. But Sarachan may have been the smartest choice for the Galaxy if they wanted to continue in the same style as Bruce Arena.
Kevin Baxter, writing for the LA Times, caught up with LA Galaxy President Chris Klein to find out that the Galaxy will soon make new coaching hires, which probably means that most of those decisions are already made and that finalizing those deals will happen shortly.
But Baxter also goes on to explain that this will be a chance for the team to align their coaching roles throughout their entire system. It’s worth noting that an LA Galaxy II head coach is needed and a full compliment of Galaxy assistants are needed. It’s no small task.
And of course, this all falls under the rumors that the LA Galaxy are in the midst of a more “cost effective” model for operations. Apparently, AEG wasn’t a big fan of having $9 million dollars on the bench for the playoffs. And perhaps even Arena’s salary was too much for them to stomach if they have a chance to do it cheaper.
Regardless of the outcome, the LA Galaxy are rebuilding an entire front office while trying to not have to rebuild their team on the field. Which should realistically be mostly complete — as long as the Galaxy can find a way to fill two open Designated Player positions and backfill a midfield that is lacking star power.
Chris Klein and General Manager Peter Vagenas must now find players and coaches that meet the expectation of a fan base that was frustrated by boring, uninspiring soccer in 2016. And the team must do that on a budget instead of the usual, “spend what it takes,” philosophy.
The first signs of the budget cutting or wise spending could come in the announcement of the LA Galaxy’s assistant coaches. That could lead toward who the Galaxy are targeting for their open Designated Player Positions.
In an off-season that has only been about what is leaving and not what is coming in, the LA Galaxy have questions to answer before the preseason begins on Monday, January 23rd.