Gullit resigns as Galaxy coach

Gullit resigns as Galaxy coach

Ruud Gullit has resigned as coach of the LA Galaxy. Club president and general manager Alexi Lalas has also left.

Gullit (pictured with Galaxy midfielder David Beckham) took over at Galaxy last November but has quit the MLS outfit because of personal reasons.

Former American international Lalas, whose current deal was due to expire at the end of the year, has seen his contract terminated early.

The news comes in the wake of an alarming slump in form for Galaxy with the side failing to win in their last seven games.

Galaxy investor/operator Tim Leiweke confirmed Gullit and Lalas had left the club.

"We are stepping up and doing what we need to do to straighten this thing out," said Leiweke.

"There are two good people that for different reasons aren't part of this organization today, and that's a shame.

"The fact is, the players have to look deep inside themselves and understand they have to be responsible for some of this.

"The Galaxy hasn't made the play-offs for a couple years. Punting on this season is not acceptable."

First-team coach Cobi Jones is set to replace Gullit on a temporary basis as Galaxy look to get their season back on track.

Gullit (and those who make coaching appointments) have got to realise now that coaching is clearly something he is not suited to. You can only survive on your name alone for so long (unless your name happens to be Alan Ball).

'personal reasons'.  classic reason

According to what i'm reading he has upset some of the players, the word "disrespectful" has cropped up a few times. He's got a bit of a history of this and I think he's a classic example of a great player who has trouble working with players less gifted than himself.

I saw the Galaxy game on ESPN over the weekend, they went 1-0 up early on but still got done by their opponents :P

and Bruce Arena has been appointed his successor.

Guillit is good at walking away !