CARSON, Calif. – Sigi Schmid is ready to handle some unfinished business in Major League Soccer.
The LA Galaxy announced the appointment of Schmid on Thursday, immediately relieving Curt Onalfo of his duties as head coach. The league’s all-time winningest coach with 254 wins in all MLS competitions returns to coaching following a year removed after the end of his nearly eight-year tenure with Seattle Sounders FC.
Schmid will get a chance to coach against those very same Sounders on Saturday in a match that will put his former teams against one another. After the way his time in Seattle ended, Schmid is determined to prove himself more, and he’s drawing inspiration from the Galaxy’s most storied boss Bruce Arena.
“I wanted to coach again because I haven’t had many losing seasons and I didn’t want to end on a bad note. Bruce has shown with what he’s done with the national team that us old guys can still coach a little bit,” Schmid told reporters. “It’s all about man management and getting players to perform on the field. It’s not about running on the field and doing demos because then I wouldn’t have a chance.
"It means a lot to be able to come back in coach and it means a lot to come back and coach in Los Angeles where I grew up.”
Schmid takes over a Galaxy squad presently in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 6-10-4 record this season. The team did get another boost on Thursday, however, with the signing of new Designated Player Jonathan dos Santos.
Although the Galaxy have dealt with plenty of challenges this year ranging from injuries to inconsistent form, Schmid says the team must be ready for the battle that lies ahead that will ultimately determine if his squad can reach the postseason.
“Our expectations and our hopes are to still make the playoffs,” Schmid said. “It’s a challenge, but challenges are something we want to embrace. We’re not going to run away.”
As he looks ahead to his latest stint as head coach of the Galaxy, Schmid pledges to be “consistent and true” to his strengths as he looks to lead his hometown team back to glory.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to do it here,” Schmid said. “I’m looking forward to it. I feel very blessed to coach in my home city.”
