LA Galaxy fire president Chris Klein days after head coach argued with fans
LA Galaxy have announced the sacking of team president Chris Klein, just days after Greg Vanney confronted an angry group of fans following their latest Major League Soccer defeat.
The Galaxy have endured a tough 2023 campaign so far, as they sit rock-bottom of the MLS Western Conference with just nine points from 14 games. Their latest loss came at the hands of Charlotte FC last weekend, after the away side secured a 1-0 victory.
Frustrations in the LA camp boiled over after former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez was given a straight red card, before supporters behind the goal made their feelings known to the playing staff at full-time.
Following the loss Vanney made his way over to the crowd behind the net in a bid to diffuse the situation. Days on, the club finds itself in a state of chaos once more, with the sacking of president Klein confirmed on Tuesday.
In a statement, club chief Dan Beckerman confirmed: "As a Club we have not achieved our goals or met the standard that we have established for the LA Galaxy. We believe it is in the best interest of the Club to make a change and begin a comprehensive process to seek new leadership that will return the Club to the level that our fans and partners expect.
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"We are thankful to Chris for his years of dedication and commitment to the LA Galaxy as both a player and an executive.” Klein had worked at the football club for 11 years, and thanked Beckerman and Phil Anschutz for giving him the opportunity to take on the role of president.
LA Galaxy manager Greg Vanney had to confront angry fans after the team's latest defeat (Twitter)"I’d like to thank Phil Anschutz and Dan Beckerman for the opportunity to serve as president for the LA Galaxy for the past 11 years,” said Klein. “My family and I love this club and I’m grateful to have spent 16 years with this organization as a player and an executive.
"Thank you to our supporters, partners, players, coaches, and staff for all of the passion, dedication and hard work.”
In the statement it was also confirmed head coach Vanney would 'continue to lead all soccer operations while reporting directly to Beckerman'. Klein has been under significant pressure in recent months and the subject of fan protests.
Fan groups threatened to boycott if Klein stayed in charge and some have followed through on those threats in recent months. Klein was suspended last December with the team fined $1million by the MLS for undisclosed payments to winer Cristian Pavon in 2019.
They were stripped of $1m in future general allocation money and will be forbidden from acquiring international players during the summer transfer window due to their MLS punishments.
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