LA Galaxy president: LAFC doesn’t affect our coaching search

The LA Galaxy made the first front office move since the departure of Bruce Arena last week, naming former player Pete Vagenas general manager. That takes care of one of Arena’s former jobs with the Galaxy, but now the search is on for a head coach, which Galaxy president Chris Klein said on Monday would hopefully be complete before the end of the year.

While some of you reading this may be thinking, “Ok, so what, what does this have to do with LAFC?” it’s relevant because the Galaxy are in a full-blown transition phase, whether they hire from within for both the GM and head coach positions or go outside the organization to nab a manager. Arena’s track record and ability to integrate huge stars with role players and those in between, more often than not to make a winning team, is not easy to do. Time will tell, the Galaxy could rebound from Arena’s departure with no drop off, but it’s no sure thing at the moment.

And then there is the role of LAFC competing for marketshare, fans, prospects, Designated Players, etc. The Galaxy still have a year to play before LAFC starts playing, but one expects plenty of competition between the organizations and teams in the years to come.

Klein demurred, however, on Monday, on the impact of LAFC on the Galaxy’s decision-making.

On some level, that makes sense. The Chicago Fire don’t lay awake at night worrying about what Columbus Crew SC is up to, and for the ups and downs of the New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC rivalry so far, each team does not think of the other when making each and every decision.

But whether the Galaxy think of LAFC as just another MLS competitor or something more, they certainly will ponder the implications of the new neighbors from time to time. It may not be a priority when it comes to the head coaching search, but it may come into consideration, if not when the hire is made, then down the line.

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