The Galaxy has narrowed its search for a coach down to two high-profile international candidates -- the Netherlands' Ruud Gullit and Germany's Juergen Klinsmann -- and a decision could be made as early as today.
Indications are that Gullit, 45, might have the edge because Klinsmann has previously stated his desire to take charge of another national team prior to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Klinsmann, 43, who lives in Newport Beach, coached Germany to third place in the 2006 World Cup after having won the Cup as a player with West Germany in Italy in 1990 -- oddly enough knocking out the Netherlands and Gullit (pronounced hoo-lit) in a memorable second-round clash in Milan.
Last fall, Klinsmann was first in line to be named U.S. national team coach but could not reach agreement with U.S. Soccer over terms of the contract. Bob Bradley ultimately was given the post.
But Klinsmann has followed Major League Soccer closely, has served as technical director to the Galaxy and has close ties to Tim Leiweke, the chief executive officer of AEG, which owns the team.
Klinsmann could not be reached for comment on whether he was interested in taking charge of the Galaxy, which has failed to reach the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
If Klinsmann is not interested, that apparently would leave Gullit as the front-runner to succeed Frank Yallop, who resigned to become coach of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Gullit is a new name to surface for the Galaxy coaching job, along with rumors of such equally prominent figures as former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello and current Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz.
Alexi Lalas, the Galaxy's president and general manager, said Monday that he wanted a "sexy" coach, someone who would attract attention in the same way David Beckham has done and at the same time get the team playing the attractive attacking style that soccer fans demand.
"We are going to use this as an opportunity to once again push the envelope and do something that's not been seen in MLS," he said.
Beckham's agent is "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller, who was instrumental in bringing Beckham to the Galaxy. Fuller's associate, Terry Byrne, a friend of Beckham, has close connections to leading players and coaches in Europe, including Gullit, sources said.
If Gullit is hired, he would fit the coaching profile the Galaxy is seeking.
