Bruce Arena continues to promote from within the LA Galaxy

Since I began covering the Galaxy in the middle of the 2010 season, four players have announced their retirement from the club. Three of those players have then gone on to coaching jobs with the club, a trend which deserves recognition. LA under Bruce Arena has made a point of giving players a place once their playing days are over.

Recently announced Technical Director Jovan Kirovski is the latest of these, first made an assistant coach after retiring last offseason and now promoted to Technical Director. He's wearing a suit now, just like Arena and Kirovski's former teammate Chris Klein.

Klein retired after 2010 season and was then named Senior Director of the Galaxy Academy. He was promoted to Vice President in February of 2012, still with a focus on the Academy but now also responsible for scheduling international friendlies.

That's two players who were teammates in 2010, now responsible for development on several ends. Tim Leiweke is still the big cheese but Klein has been behind restructuring in an attempt to increase season ticket holders and cultivating these Homegrown Player signings which allow LA to continue bringing in top talent despite having the last pick in the 2012 and now 2013 MLS SuperDrafts.

If anything, Bruce Arena has shown an incredible ability to pay back those who have helped him to success. Dave Sarachan was with Arena at the University of Virginia, D.C. United, and the U.S. national team. Curt Onalfo played at Virginia then assisted on the U.S. national team.

Gregg Berhalter was a player/assistant coach through the 2011 season, and then promptly was snatched up by Swedish side Hammarby to be their head coach. If it weren't for that, Berhalter would still be on the club in some capacity. Arena's track record suggests it would be so.

Adam Cristman is the only one who hasn't gotten a coaching offer yet, but he retired due to injuries and is only 28 and hasn't been heard from sense.

Everyone knows that the Galaxy would offer David Beckham a front office position in a heartbeat. Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, not a problem. What I like most about the Jovan Kirovski promotion is it shows Arena isn't just keeping players around for their veteran presence. He's giving players real responsibility, positions that are going to make them attractive for soccer job openings around the world. That has to make other veterans want to come play for Arena, knowing that any mentoring they give younger players will be rewarded in the end.