On Thursday the LA Galaxy announced that they’ve extended Bruce Arena’s stay as Head Coach and General Manager, as one of the top coaches in U.S. history will continue to be a fixture in Major League Soccer for many years to come.
Arena, 62, has signed a “multi-year contract extension” after enjoying several seasons of success since joining LA in 2008. Since then the Galaxy have made three MLS Cup finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012, while also winning the Western Conference title in three of the last five seasons and capturing the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2010 and 2010.
Since 2008, Arena has a 82-46-44 regular season record, as the Californian outfit have become the most recognizable brand in U.S. soccer.
Speaking about Arena’s decision to extend his current deal Dan Beckerman, President and CEO of AEG which owns the Galaxy, shared his delight.
“We are very pleased to sign Bruce Arena to a multi-year contract extension,” Beckerman said in a club statement. “Bruce is one of the finest coaches in the history of soccer in the United States. His commitment to the LA Galaxy, the club’s winning tradition and continued excellence on and off the field is unrivaled. We look forward to the team’s continued success under Bruce’s management.”
A brash character who does things his own way, Arena is a man who often divides opinion across the U.S. soccer spectrum. But you just can’t argue with his record over a long and glittering career as a coach in MLS.
Arena recently became the first coach in MLS history to win four MLS Cup titles and has been named MLS Coach of the Year three times. Coaching D.C. United, the U.S. national team and now the LA Galaxy, Arena has become an institution on the U.S. soccer scene spanning over two decades. As coach of the USMNT, Arena led the Nats to the FIFA World Cup twice, including an historic quarterfinal berth in 2002 in Japan/Korea and during his time in charge of the national team he compiled a 71-30-29 all-time record.
“I’m honored to remain in this role with the preeminent soccer club in the United States,” Arena said. “I appreciate the continued support and confidence from Mr. Anschutz, Mr. Beckerman, Chris Klein and my staff and players as we head into the 2014 season.”
With Arena on board for the foreseeable future, what does this mean for the LA club? More success, more domination and likely more trophies.
Arena’s stranglehold as MLS most-respected and driven coach is unlikely to diminish during the twilight of his coaching career. if anything we’ve seen a more outspoken and heated Arena in the past few MLS seasons, but his ability to find the best young talent and manage star names, like DPs Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and David Beckham, will hold him in good stead with the Galaxy.
A talented crop of youngsters, Jose Villarreal, Jack McBean, Zardes and Omar Gonzalez have broken into the team under Arena’s tutelage and despite Villarreal on loan to Cruz Azul during the 2014 MLS season, expect Arena’s emphasis to still be on blending youth with experience as the Galaxy look to add another MLS Cup to the trophy cabinet.
Arena’s new deal means more of the same for LA. Success.