8.26.2007

Yallop Out, Klinsmann In?

To the surprise of nobody, Frank Yallop's job security as skipper of the Los Angeles Galaxy has reportedly been shot full of holes by his club's current five-game losing streak. The Galaxy have given up 11 goals in their last three games and have recorded back-to-back losses by a scoreline of 3-0, including a national TV roll-over to intra-city rivals Chivas USA.

Yallop has shriveled under the intense spotlight that has been thrust upon him by the worldwide media following the Beckham circus and key injuries have not helped, either. In Sunday's loss to Colorado, the squad was absent several players who should be comprising their starting lineup at this point (Beckham, Donovan, Jazic, Albright, Xavier, Harden, Harmse, etc...)

Suddenly, rumors of Yallop's departure have sprung up, with England's Times Online reporting that team officials are lining up Jurgen Klinsmann as his replacement. Klinsy led upstart Germany to a third-place finish under his tenure as Germany head coach in the 2006 World Cup and was offered the head coaching job for the U.S. Men's National Team, but declined at the last minute for reasons still unknown to the general public. As the Times' article points out, Klinsmann has a home in the Los Angeles area and even served as a consultant for the Galaxy a few years back, fueling rumors that he is ready to take the job as soon as Yallop vacates it.

It remains to be seen whether general manager Alexi Lalas will pull the plug on Yallop first or if AEG will beat him to the punch and dump both Yallop AND Lalas in one fell swoop. Both figures have had past roles with the San Jose Earthquakes, a team that will be re-activated for the 2008 season. They both could end up back in the Bay Area if things don't improve quickly in Hollywood.

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