Trouble in Tinseltown?

David Beckham's arrival as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy is set for Friday so you would think everything is great in Galaxyland right? Not so fast my friend.

According to sources within Major League Soccer, Galaxy president Alexi Lalas and head coach Frank Yallop have seen their working relationship go from cordial to unbearable. Apparently the two LA bigwigs are at odds and aren't even speaking to each other these days.

Just what has led to this situation remains unclear but it may have something to do with all the trading Alexi Lalas has done in recent weeks. Has Yallop been on board with every decision? Is Lalas basically building the roster the way he sees fits, regardless of whether Yallop agrees or not?

If that is so, it wouldn't be the first time for Lalas. He imposed player acquisitions on Bob Bradley during his time with the MetroStars and his track record with coaches has shown Lalas to be someone who isn't afraid to ruffle feathers or damage working relationships in order to get his way.

Will the situation boil over? Don't expect it to. Both men are professionals and realize what is at stake right now with Beckham's arrival just around the corner, but if the team doesn't start winning then things could get ugly really quick.

Ultimately, if the Galaxy don't make the playoffs then one or both are gone. It's as simple as that, although it wouldn't surprise me to see Lalas survive (He is the AEG golden boy after all). With rumors persisting that San Jose is a good bet to score an expansion franchise very soon, it is safe to say Yallop wouldn't stay unemployed long.

What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[MetroFlip73]

Alexi is a nice guy, but horrible when it comes to soccer decisions.

Garipe, nuff said.

[shaj]

fire lalas
has he done anything in his management career

[Goodsport]

Though I was hoping (and still hope) that the upcoming San Jose Earthquakes can somehow buy out Dominic Kinnear's current contract, Frank Yallop would also be an excellent choice as head coach.

Both have proven not only to be great coaches (Yallop's stint with LA notwithstanding), but also team-builders, which will prove invaluable in getting the Earthquakes playing successfully sooner rather than later.

[DCM]

Which one has had any success in MLS? Enough said... Alexi its time to go screw up another club

[Joamiq]

A working relationship with Lalas has become unbearable? You don't say!

MY relationship with Lalas has become unbearable. I wish he could be exiled to some tiny uninhabited island in the South Pacific and be never heard from again.

[Metzeng]

How has Lalas survived his multiple failures? He was an absolute failure in San Jose and New York. I also don't understand why he's seen as a soccer expert by the media. He's a self-conscious corporate lackey and a disaster as a GM. Lew Wolfe, please free Frank Yallop.

[Victor]

Lalas is such a terrible GM! How many franchises has he screwed up?

[LAJames]

I give Lalas credit for standing up for MLS and U.S. players, we need more of that, but the guy is a lousy GM and sticks his foot in his mouth far too often. The fact that the Galaxy have had to overhaul their team in the middle of the season is a sign of very poor planning.

[Area Code 212]

I wonder what lead to this?

Oh wait, could it be Galaxy's record? LOL

[inkedAG]

They should give Lalas a cushy AEG job like they gave that a$$stain Nick Sackweicz.

[Javier]

Yallop is arguably one of the best coaches in the league. The Galaxy need him and his players respect him. Lalas is a poster boy for failed general managers. Fire Lalas.

[Jeff]

Lalas is a tool and I can't imagine him really having any true decision making ability behind the scenes.

[Tony M]

My good friend Goodsport (yes, Goddsie, it's me) beat me to it. My first thought was:

Head caoch of the New San Jose Earthquakes...Frank Yallop!!!!!!!!!!

[QJA]

It sounds like decisions over in LA start at the top and hit ground level fast; given AEG's recent focus on LA over their other assets (read: Chicago Fire), I wouldn't be surprised if Yallop was shown the door before Lalas. Alexi has become a prolific mouthpiece for American soccer and the Galaxy (regardless whether American fans or Galaxy supporters agree with his sentiments), and AEG appreciate the publicity, positive or negative.

[QJA]

It sounds like decisions over in LA start at the top and hit ground level *last*; given AEG's recent focus on LA over their other assets (read: Chicago Fire), I wouldn't be surprised if Yallop was shown the door before Lalas. Alexi has become a prolific mouthpiece for American soccer and the Galaxy (regardless whether American fans or Galaxy supporters agree with his sentiments), and AEG appreciate the publicity, positive or negative.

[Steve]

There is only one way to put this. LALAS IS A BLITHERING IDIOT!!!

What really gets my panties in a bunch is why people think that just because someone played a sport, they can be a GM. What good has Lalas ever done in a GM role. NOTHING!!!!

I'm a DCU fan, and I feel for the NY fans. Lalas, did nothing to help you all out, and thankfully Bruce is there to clean up the mess. As for LA, I love the fact that Lalas is there, because he is going to make that franchise even worse. As much as DCU fans are supposed to hate (in a friendly way) NY fans. I have much more contempt for LA than NY. I HATE LA!!

[Joe]

Alexi is a tool...a dull tool. Speaking as a Quakes fan (since 1974),I hope LA fires Yallop so he can return to SJ and bring another Cup to SJ.

[Connor]

Alexi also has to deal with the fact that Becks would rather be in madrid right now. Beckham said the only reason he signed with the Galaxy was because Madrid said they didnt want him. If Madrid had said they wanted him BEcks would never have been here.

Alexi you really had very little to do with bringing Beckham here and I wish you would just shut the hell up. The team you left in New York is more of a SuperClub than LA will ever be with beckham.

[Nathanhj]

I'm not impressed with Lalas except for his hiring of Yallop. If he's the one making personnel decisions, then he needs to have his balls chopped off.

I don't think he was around long enough in NY or SJ to prove whether or not he sucked, but he's been in LA long enough to ruin the team.

But he does say great stuff for media consumption and he's great at that kind of stuff, so I say make him the Business Manager and hire someone else as Technical Director with responsibility for player decisions.

But if you can't do that, you need to shank him in the neck after you feed his nuts to the squirrels.

But I'm not bitter or anything.

[Squard]

It's a stupid prediction, but hear it out anyway:
Beckham gets here and sees the trouble between Lalas and Yallop.
Do you think Becks would take the a$$-clowns side? I doubt it. AEG will want to keep Becks happy (since he's technically an investor in the Galaxy) and drop Lalas fast.

[diego r.]

I'm not too surprised. If I worked for the the LA Galaxy I wouldn't want to speak to Alexi Lalas either. How does he still have a job?

[Jamie]

Help me out here, SBI readers. This is the first year of followed MLS very closely; is it common in MLS to have the GM and coaching duties split like they are in LA? Seems to me the more traditional single manager in charge of personnel and on-field game-day decisions is a better way to go. What's the thinking here?

[lawrenceterp]

Lalas would be much better as a TV analyst. You'd be guaranteed at least 3 ridiculous comments per game. It would make things more entertaining.

[lachupacabra]

Great news. Let the AEG Galaxy continue to unravel.

San Jose fans look forward to your return.

Do you know the way...?

[rc]

My favorite topic, how Lalas did nothing for US soccer on the field (he was a goon at Rutgers too), and he is determined to ruin the MLS from off the field. Who the hell does this guy think he is? What an arrogant @ss. How does this guy still have a job? I have never read a positive post about this red headed freak.