Alright, a question for anyone who's expressed confidence in Juergen Klinsmann being our coach if Sampson gets fired (and there have been a lot of you)--what makes you so sure? I don't know how many times I've read "Well, now that Lalas is in charge, he'll fire Steve sometime in [late June/early July] and Klinsmann will take over after Germany gets knocked out of the World Cup". Has Klinsmann ever expressed an interest in coaching the Galaxy? I'm asking seriously--anyone have a link to an interview? What if Germany doesn't do as poorly as people--me, for one--are expecting? I know he hasn't had the best reception from the people who really count in Deutschland (Beckenbauer), but is it that impossible to think that he'll continue if Germany does well? I'm sure a Bundesliga side wouldn't mind trying to persuade him to move to Germany. What if Steve gets fired before the World Cup? There are seven more weeks until it kicks off--if things really start going bad for L.A., why should Lalas take a gamble and hope that a national team coach would want to join the ranks of MLS coaches rather than hiring an available candidate? Furthermore, if Klinsmann does as badly with Germany as some are expecting--why would we want him? So, please show me why my pessimistic outlook is unfounded. What proof is there that Klinsmann could take over--besides the fact that he lives in Southern California.
I've been in the Klinsmann group, but just based on instinct rather than fact. It's such a "natural" fit that it "should" happen, just like Lalas returning to LA. I don't think Sampson will get fired early in the season because it will be too easy to justify a bad record by Landon being gone. My guess is if we don't perform a month after Landon returns, and there is a risk of us not making the playoffs, then Sampson gets the pink slip. I don't see Klinsmann staying in Germany just because he has taken so much heat about staying in LA. Do we wan't him? Particularly if Germany does badly? I don't know. What was his coaching experience before the Germany job? Do we have any track record to go on?
i'm not in the klinsmann camp, i'm not against it either. one thing i find interesting, when klinsmann took on a more official role with the club we played quite well. then he left, we started to get boring again, then sigi got fired. it's false conclusion to say it has anything to do with juergen, it might have been any number of reasons. still it's interesting. second thing he may not be the best coach, but he did manage to orchestrate a win against arena, another proposed post WC candidate.
I don't care if he's the coach or not. I just want him involved with our team somehow for the following reasons: 1.) He was a great forward, and it would be invaluable having him teaching our strikers how to better play the position. He'll be even more invaluable when each MLS side has a youth academy. 2.) He has connections around the world, most notably in Europe, and can help bring in quality players and personnel. We'd end up with more Herzogs and less Naldos. 3.) Would you rather him get hired on with Chivas?
When Klinsmann was the team "technical cooridinator" for the first half of 2004 the Galaxy were brilliant. He brought in Herzog and we were really good. He was the brains behind Sigi's team. Then he left in June, and the team lost everything it had going. The last time the Galaxy attack had a distinct direction and was actually good was for the 3 months Jurgie was here.
I'd definitely like to see Klinsmann involved with the team, but I'm not convinced that Lalas's hiring doesn't put the requisite pressure on Sampson to be more player-oriented than he normally would be, Galaxy make a good playoff run and Sampson sticks for the year at least.
Klinsmann was involved with our team through Soccer Solutions, a soccer advising company that he started. He was hired by Doug. JÜRGEN KLINSMANN TO ADVISE LOS ANGELES GALAXY CARSON, CA (Thursday, February 12, 2004) - The Los Angeles Galaxy and SoccerSolutions, a sports marketing consultancy, have today announced that former FIFA World Cup champion, German national team captain and world-renowned goal scorer, Jürgen Klinsmann... will provide technical advice to the coaching staff and players of the Galaxy. ... In his consultant role as Galaxy Technical Advisor, Klinsmann will spend significant time on site at The Home Depot Center, home of the club, through the 2004 season. He will attend and participate in evaluation and planning sessions, coaches meetings, training sessions, and individual player meetings in order to provide Galaxy coaches and players with insights gained from his successful experiences at the highest levels of international soccer. ... In addition to providing services directly to the Galaxy coaching staff and players, SoccerSolutions, under Klinsmann’s direction, will also be engaged by the team for assistance with international player exchanges, exhibition games with foreign clubs, overseas training opportunities, and other international matters. http://www.soccersolutions.com/images/la_galaxy.pdf
Well before Germany came calling, he was technical advisor to the LA Galaxy. He worked on the training fields with the team, it is commented that it is because of him the Home Depot Center has overhangs. He lives in LA, and obviously has knowledge of MLS. Edit: Good catch Taco!
I wouldn't know about that, the Galaxy are the only team to be in the playoffs every season, so far. It comes to a lot of things, the first is regular season finish. Lalas put it well, we have people making season-long investments in the team, but the product on the field and the results have been horrible. If this persists good things can not come out of it, which means attendance drops, and that is not good for the Galaxy or AEG or MLS.
He was the one who broght Herzog. As Baysider said, it would be "Logical." He lives here, and if he does become unemployed after the WC, why not? I can't see many other national teams being interessed in him, if he does screw up with Germany. I think he would be perfect for us.
He seems to genuinely want to stay in the U.S., specifically California, and EVEN MORE specifically - SoCal. I mean, he's enduring a flogging by the media for not living in Germany during the lead up to the World Cup!! So, with that in mind, I think he'd make the ideal CANDIDATE, although, lord knows, we'd need to pay him quite a bit.
If Available Look it is only a discussion if he is available.... 1... Germany is not that good, I am predicting they go thru to the 16 or final 8 and loose. 2... Klinsman will come back to LA with no job, if no semi-final, final, or cup win he will not be asked to keep the Germany Job. 3... By July 1st the Galaxy should have this record - (3wins) (8Loses) (4ties) sitting on 13 points from half the season. 4... No other viable coaches out there to replace sampson. and the replacement should be a notable name... its Los Angeles. 5... As the first superclub.... we need a superstar personality to lead us into that next step, especially on the international level. CCC probably an invite into Copa Libertadores within the next 2 years. We Will see though... MLS over the last 5 years has an ability to not progress to far forward. I think they are ready to make that next step
You're absolutely right about the playoffs alone not being enough from what Lalas has already said. I just meant that with Alexi breathing down his neck Sampson may have no choice but to have a success this season with his players help on the pitch. He's shown a small signs of a willingness to change that seem to be against his character. I'm not sure own his own he's capable but with the right amount of pressure and desperation I could see him pulling it off again this year. Then of course Lalas could then choose to replace him with Klinsmann in the offseason.
Re: If Available I dislike Sampson as much as the next guy, but 3 wins on July 1st? That's just wishful thinking to get Klinsman in right away. How many G's do you think are going to the world cup exactly?
for the record juergen lives in newport beach. he made a deal with his american wife that after his career he would settle in california so she could be near her parents.
I think there is a good chance that Klinsmann could come to the Galaxy. I don't think he will get a top flight coaching offer in Europe after the World Cup (depending on Germany's success/failure). May get a lesser offer, in which case I think he would prefer the Galaxy job. My thinking is that the home team always does well in the World Cup, but I doubt he can make it past the round of 8. Group A is a joke, Germany should win that blindfolded (vs. #25 Costa Rica, #26 Poland, #36 Ecuador). Then the round of 16, they would play 2nd place from Group B (England, Sweden, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago). Should be able to take out Sweden at home, but that is no sure thing. Then in the quarter finals, they would probably play the winner of Group C (Argentina or Netherlands), or possibly 2nd place group D (Mexico or Portugal). That would be a tremendously difficult matchup, I don't think Germany could win there. If Germany loses there, I don't think he'd get a top European job, so the Galaxy could get him. If he gets past that game, then he could probably take almost any job out there. TequilaJoal, that is some prediction 3W 8L 4T by July 1. I think they will have 3 wins by April 30. You honestly don't think the Galaxy can beat Columbus and Salt Lake the next 2 weeks? Then in May they get Salt Lake again, and Colorado twice. I think their record will be closer to 8W 3L 4T, than it will be to 3W 8L 4T. (I'd say 6W 5L 4T).
Don't write off Costa Rica, and you think that Poland isn't going to go all out to get Germany? You also assume that England will come in first in Gp B...either England or Germany could very likely come in second in their groups. I think coming in second would be better for them, actually, because I really think England will come in second. I don't think Germany wants to play England in the second round.
that sux I actually typed out a whole response, then hit submit... it asked me to re-type my member name and password, then it was all lost. oh well!! Let me just say.... statistical analysis has predicted the following record on 7/1/06. it's Science.
And their children can attend school in peace and grow up as "normal" kids, which they would not be able to do in Germany.
It seems that the conventional wisdom from the Bigsoccer forums is that Klinsmann will either be coach of the USMNT or Galaxy. Arena is bound to leave soon and I don't see anybody being able to slide in their easily, but Klinsmann may have a shot.
Honestly, I'm not so sure. I think he'll go back to running his soccer advising business, as more and more foreign teams and advertisers look to make inroads in the U.S. market. Business is probably booming. He doesn't strike me as someone who's itching to coach--but as someone who took the German NT job to serve his country. I don't think he feels that kind of sense of duty towards the Galaxy. Of course, a fat paycheck and a twenty minute commute could sway him. Total speculation on my part.
Klinsman to the Galaxy is Destiny.... I remember, Long, Long Ago, when the Galaxy came into being....You know, in 1996. And I also remember that my favorite player, Juergen Klinsman, had mentioned that he would like to join the American league, that his brother in law had a pizza place in Newport, etc. Then, I think in 1997, he had his jaw broken in a game, and said that he would retire at the end of the season. My hopes and dreams were shattered. But now....(horns blaring triumphantly) A NEW HOPE... I can't imagine any Bundesliga team being able to lure him back to Germany. I get the impression that he has the same impression of Germany that Landon Donovan does. I mean, he likes it because it was his home, its where he's from, but he probably would agree with all of Donovan's complaints. To some extent, I even think that if Germany does well, Klinsman may already be fed up with the whole rigmarole. He didn't enjoy that when he was a player, I doubt he enjoys it now. He even used to drive an old VW Bug with a bumper sticker of Snoopy in a rowboat, rowing to America.