As we enter a new year, LA Galaxy has entered a new chapter by hiring Greg Vanney as a new head coach.
After parting ways with Guillermo Barros Schelotto in October, the Galaxy took their time deciding who would take charge of club football’s next era. Vanney was the man they settled down on and, having finally made the deal, can now move on trying to make the playoffs.
But who is Greg Vanney? Let’s take a closer look at the new LA Galaxy boss looking to lead the club to the promised land of MLS.
We have recently seen a trend in Europe among the best clubs recruiting club legends as managers and it looks like LA Galaxy has followed suit.
Vanney spent seven seasons across two different spells as a member of the Galaxy family, winning the Western Conference three times as well as some cup competitions. He’s even been named a two-time MLS All-Star XI.
#TBT Greg Vanney dresses for #USMNT vs New Zealand. #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/xVMC8Ygf5A
– Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) Aug 18, 2016
As a player, Vanney has also been selected for his country 37 times. He only scored one goal, but was also part of the 2005 squad which also won the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He made his debut in 1996 at the age of 22, before making his last appearance in 2006.
Great meeting with my ex teammate Greg Vanney, discussing our old days in “BASTIA”… Top Man… !!!? pic.twitter.com/NFLncYu5zq
– Michael Essien® (@MichaelEssien) July 24, 2014
After his first stint with LA Galaxy ended in 2001, Vanney moved to Europe and joined Bastia in Ligue 1.
He helped the team make their first Coupe de France final in 20 years in their debut season and even played alongside the great Michael Essien. Not bad huh?
After working as an assistant at Chivas FC, Vanney became head coach of Toronto FC in 2014.
He spent part of seven seasons in Canada and was formidable, winning three Canadian Championships, three Eastern Conference Playoffs, four Trillium Cups and one MLS Cup during his tenure before stepping down in December 2020.
As Toronto FC became a force among MLS clubs, Vanney formed one of the best strike partnerships in club history when he signed Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
He changed his roster to 3-5-2 to bring the two closer to goal and each other and it worked as they continued to lift the MLS Cup in 2017 with both players scoring a total of 38. goals.
Considering he was a defender, it might be a bit surprising, but it probably won’t because, well, he’s Diego Maradona.
Vanney revealed in an interview with The Athletic in March 2020 that Maradona was one of his favorite players growing up, although he based his game on current Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman.
