Slumping L.A. Galaxy has major shake-up

LOS ANGELES — Ruud Gullit has resigned as coach of the slumping Los Angeles Galaxy for personal reasons, and team president/general manager Alexi Lalas also is out of a job with the Major League Soccer franchise.

"We are stepping up and doing what we need to do to straighten this thing out," Galaxy investor/operator Tim Leiweke told The Associated Press on Monday in announcing the changes.

The Galaxy, led by England superstar David Beckham and U.S. standout Landon Donovan, is on a seven-match winless streak entering Thursday's MLS match against Chivas USA.

"There are two good people that for different reasons aren't part of this organization today, and that's a shame," Leiweke said of Gullit and Lalas. "The fact is, the players have to look deep inside themselves and understand they have to be responsible for some of this. Am I angry we find ourselves in the situation we find ourselves in? Yes.

"This is not a fun week. The Galaxy hasn't made the playoffs for a couple years. Punting on this season is not acceptable. It starts Thursday."

Much was expected when icon Beckham joined the Galaxy last season. But he was limited to five matches because of injuries; the Galaxy went 9-14-7 and was eliminated from playoff contention on the season's final day.

The Galaxy was in fairly good shape this season before the recent winless streak left it at 6-8-5, with 23 points.

Gullit, 45, will be succeeded on an interim basis by 38-year-old Cobi Jones, a first-year assistant who retired as a player after last season. Jones spent his entire pro career with the Galaxy. Gullit signed a three-year contract in November.

"I think this was a tough move professionally and personally for Ruud," Leiweke said. "I don't think it was working out for him and his family."

Note

• Ben Collett, a former member of Manchester United's youth squad, was awarded $8.2 million by London's High Court. A tackle by Middlesbrough's Gary Smith in a 2003 reserve match broke Collett's right leg in two places, ending Collett's career.

Smith and Middlesbrough admitted liability for the "negligent" tackle. The amount is to be paid by the English Premier League team's insurers.