Frank Yallop’s tenure with the L.A. Galaxy is over. He resigned as head coach just hours before the team left on a four-city tour of Minneapolis, Vancouver, Aucklund, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia. Various reports claim that Yallop will soon be named head coach of the revived San Jose Earthquakes. A former coach of the Quakes, Yallop led the team to the MLS championship in 2001 and 2003 before the team folded in 2005. According to ESPN, San Jose parted with a third- or fourth-round draft pick to regain the services of its former coach.
Galaxy players were surprised at the news of Yallop’s departure, but most understood the decision. Striker Landon Donovan was particularly outspoken about the poor way he thought Yallop had been treated by the Galaxy’s management. “He’s had people in his ear telling him what to do, and he’s not been able to just get on with it,” Donovan told the L.A. Times. “When he finally was left alone, we went on a seven-game unbeaten streak … I don’t think anyone wants to work in those circumstances.” Donovan played on both of Yallop’s championship winning teams in San Jose.
Midfielder David Beckham said he thought Yallop was the “right man” to lead the Galaxy into next season, but was quick to add, “He’s not walking away. He’s looking after himself, he’s looking after his family.” Yallop’s had an 18-21-12 record with the Galaxy over one and a half seasons.