The tumultuous season the Los Angeles Galaxy have already experienced in the infant stages of the 2006 season were thrown another potential shakeup this week when Alexi Lalas was hired as the club's new general manager. Lalas has had a merry-go-round career as a front-office man already, having now bounced between three AEG clubs -- San Jose, New York and now Los Angeles.
Rumors began flying about Lalas' return to Los Angeles, where he won an MLS Cup as a player, soon after the sudden passing of former Galaxy president and general manager Doug Hamilton in March. Soon after, the then-MetroStars were sold to Austrian-based energy drink company Red Bull, further fueling the rumors. The rumors came to fruition on Monday when Lalas was named to the helm of the Galaxy front office.
While any change of that magnitude in a club's front office is liable to bring about some changes, the general mood in the Galaxy locker room is one of excitement.
"I think it's good for L.A. and I think it's good for the sport in general. They keep hiring former players who have played at a high level," said Cobi Jones, a teammate with Lalas both with the U.S. national team as well as with the Galaxy. "I think Alexi's shown he can do a great job at San Jose, and then with New York. For him to come here, we're expecting the same thing."
There have been also some around the Southland waiting for another reaction since the announcement. During the 1998 World Cup, Lalas was rather outspoken about his disapproval of Steve Sampson's decisions when Sampson was the head coach of the U.S. national team. Lalas has already made attempts to smooth things over, and Sampson has laid any bad feelings to rest. The Galaxy manager says he is nothing short of excited to have a former Galaxy player and future National Soccer Hall-of-Famer in the front office.
"I think it's great. He understands the Galaxy tradition. He's not cut his teeth from a business standpoint in San Jose and New York. He's a man that understands the game and played at a high level," said Sampson. "There are very few people in this country who have the ability to mix the business side and the technical side."
The addition of Lalas to the Galaxy family will also allow Sampson to commit 100 percent to the development of his team on the field. Following the death of Hamilton, Sampson has assumed several responsibilities previously done by his friend and colleague.
"That's one thing Doug and I had -- this challenging, wonderful relationship to where on a daily basis we were setting priorities for the week. We were constantly talking about how we wanted this team to play. I desperately need someone with which to have those types of discussions," said Sampson.
"Many times over the course of the past month or so I've felt like I've been on an island, having to do so much more than I was doing when Doug was around."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
