Los Angeles(DPA) : Former Dutch international footballer Ruud Gullit was named the new coach of major league soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy in a bid to turn around the US glamour team.
Gullit, a former European Footballer of the Year, was formally introduced as the team’s sixth coach here Friday, succeeding Frank Yallop, who failed to make the play-offs for two seasons in a row. Gullit will take charge of stars like David Beckham in the club.
“We have signed a world-class coach, leader and a soccer man who understands how the game is played and managed at the highest level,” said team owner Timothy J. Leiweke.
“Ruud is an exceptional leader whose commitment, character and experience make him the perfect fit for our team and our organisation.”
Gullit, 45, has previously managed English clubs Chelsea and Newcastle and the Dutch side Feyenoord.
As a player, he was twice named world player of the year. He joined AC Milan in 1987 for a record fee, and with compatriots Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten, helped the Italian club win the European Cup in 1989 and 1990. He also captained the Netherlands to victory in the European Championship in 1988.
He then played for Sampdoria and Chelsea, before starting his managerial career with the London club.
“I have always looked to take on important challenges and the opportunity to manage the LA Galaxy is an exiting opportunity at this stage in my career,” said Gullit.
“I want to play a major part in both bringing the club honours and helping to raise the profile of the game at home and on the world stage.”
The appointment made Gullit the first coach of African descent, but has also placed him in charge of a team in crisis.
Galaxy has failed to make the playoffs in Major league soccer in the last two years despite an influx of new players in both seasons.
The arrival of Beckham in the club on a five-year deal, worth $250 million, was supposed to catapult the team to the top of the league.
But Beckham’s persistent injury problems limited him to a handful of games, where his influence was minimal and caused disappointments among fans.