In his first interview since his departure as LA Galaxy head coach on Monday, Sigi Schmid told ESPN the parting was "probably the best decision" for the parties involved and for LA's playoff prospects this year.
Schmid, who was announced to be resigning from managing the team before Galaxy president Chris Klein later noted it was a "collective" decision during a conference call with reporters, hinted that the decision may have been hastened by the club, noting ultimately "That's really for [the Galaxy] to answer."
He also told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle his plan for a two-year project in LA, with the Galaxy currently possessing a robust midfield and attacking corps, headlined by superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but with a remade defense that has yet to make the grade this season. In the end, "I think we were allowed to accomplish that in some areas and in some areas it hasn't happened yet," Schmid said. In spite of that, he also said "I don't make final decisions" on player personnel matters.
Schmid also discussed reports claiming relations with players had deteriorated, refuting those claims, but did concede that the decision to make a change to his former assistant coach Dominic Kinnear could be the shake-up needed to get the Galaxy, currently three points out of the final MLS Cup Playoffs spot in the Western Conference, above the playoff line.
"With the coaching change, there's always a boost that comes with it," he said. "We were planning to go really defensive in the last six games. So maybe with those two things that will be enough to push the team into the playoffs."
You can read more from Schmid on his departure on ESPN.
