MLS
LA Galaxy ready decision for future of Greg Vanney and Chris Klein
The owners of the Los Angeles club have some big decisions to make over the future of the coach and the president.
In January 2021, Greg Vanney assumed control of Los Angeles Galaxy with a five-year plan to win the Major League Soccer’s sixth championship for its most successful franchise. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, things did not go according to his expectations, and the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in Vanney’s first year in charge.
Galaxy in freefall
In 2022, Galaxy experienced an improvement in their performance with the mid-season additions of Gastón Brugman and Riqui Puig. The league’s most successful team advanced to the Western Conference semifinals but lost to their city rivals, Los Angeles FC, 3-2, after to a last-minute goal by Cristian Arango.
Despite the disappointment of losing to their city rivals, Vanney demonstrated the team’s enhanced performance heading into the 2023 MLS season. However, in his third year in charge, the team’s results have not gone close to meeting expectations, and they are currently second to last in the Western Conference with one win, three draws, and six losses, for a total of six points.
Uncertain Galaxy future for Greg Vanney
In addition, the team began the 2023 season without the support of its cheerleaders, who had been with the team since its debut in 1996. The decision to renew president Chris Klein’s contract for another year, despite the team’s lack of titles since he took office in 2013, has created discontent among fans, and their relationship with the team is now fractured.
Furthermore, Javier Hernández’s recent comments after the team’s loss against Colorado last Saturday have added fuel to the fire. The team captain stated that the fans had valid reasons to complain about the team’s poor results in recent years and that more people needed to take responsibility for the team’s shortcomings, not just the players themselves. Hernández emphasised the need for change in the team’s training and a greater sense of responsibility to improve their performance.
According to information obtained by AS USA, the executives of the company that owns the team, AEG, will meet on Tuesday to make a decision regarding the continuity of Greg Vanney. There is also speculation that Chris Klein may be relieved of his duties in the coming days so that fans who have boycotted Galaxy home games will return to support the team in this difficult time they are going through.