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Frank Yallop has resigned as coach of Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy.
Yallop endured a difficult season in charge of the Galaxy during which the club was constantly under the media spotlight due to the arrival of David Beckham. The former England captain's impact was limited due to a number of injuries and the Galaxy's season petered out as they failed to make the play-offs.
The San Jose Mercury News reported yesterday that Yallop has left the club to return to San Jose and coach the Earthquakes.
The Earthquakes, who return to Major League Soccer in 2008, signed Yallop to a three-year contract after acquiring his rights from the Galaxy for a third-round draft pick in January, Quakes General Manager John Doyle told the Mercury News.
"As we're starting anew, this is a step in the right direction," Doyle said. "Frank has history here, his best years of coaching were here, and he has a great way with players. We needed a good name and good coach, and we have that in Frank."
Yallop resigned after a charity match for Southern California's wildfire victims on Sunday night which saw the Galaxy defeat Hollywood United 12-4 in front of 5,543 fans. David Beckham, who was watched by Steve McClaren, scored two goals against a team including Richard Gough and Frank Leboeuf, the ex-international defenders.
McClaren's presence at the match has been described as a farcical waste of the England manager's time, according to Terry Butcher, the former national captain.
Beckham has endured a season blighted by injury since his big-money move to Major League Soccer but remains in contention to return for his country as McClaren seeks the victory against Croatia which could yet see England book their place in next summer's Euro 2008 finals.
Butcher, however, can see no merit in trying to gauge Beckham's form and fitness in a friendly fixture of dubious quality. "For the England manager to be watching that is farcical," he said. "What can Beckham show the England manager in that sort of game?"
The Football Association, however, tonight stressed McClaren had informed senior officials within the organisation of his intention to meet Beckham and the matter has caused no internal discussion.
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I think Butcher possesses far more qualifications in lambasting Beckham than the Aussies realise.
The ex-golden boy is a laughing stock in the US. And for the record, Butcher was never caught crying on the field.
Ken Haggerty, venice, usa
Oh, geez, do you not understand that managing a national team is a "people business". I have no doubt that McCLaren is clever enough to know that there is nothing to see with DB playing against Hollywood United's pub side, but there is plenty to be gained in spending some one-on-one with DB. Was DB going to make the trip East at McClaren's bidding? I don't think so. He let DB save face and now has the option of calling him up. Sounds fine to me.
deavon, Santa Monica, CA
Absolute nonsense that McClaren should be wasting money to go to see Beckham. Just let's remember Beckham as being a good player with United before putting the celeb life-style before his club. Suppose we should blame that silly wife of his. Wave him bye-bye and let's get on with life.
David, Poole,
Fair enough Su. Wouldnât want to accuse you of being a hypocrite, so I'd imagine your qualifications for criticising a one time captain of England are water tight..... for the record, whatever Butchers managerial record, any idiot can see how pointless a journey it was for McClaren, assuming his objective was to check the form and fitness of DB. If he had other motives, a bit of sunshine, teeth whitening, knock about with a bunch of b list celebs for a week.... maybe it was worthwhile after all
kris, manchester,
Butcher should just shut it. What would he know? He couldn't even coach Sydney FC for Gods sake-we cpuldn't wait to see the back of him-good riddance. He certainly does't have the qualifications or record to criticise McLaren.
Su, Melbourne , Australia