LA Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid steps down

Winless in six straight matches and facing increasingly improbable odds to make the 2018 MLS Cup playoffs, LA Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid has resigned this morning as first reported by Taylor Twellman.

Schmid is the head coach who finally brought a MLS Cup to Los Angeles in 2002 during his first stint, but the winningest manager in league history was unable to replicate his magic during a second spell with the club. The Galaxy are 10-8-10 this season.

Kevin Baxter at the LA Times notes Sigi and his son Director of Player Personnel Kurt Schmid clashed with the front office at times.

Schmid, who was also put in charge of the Galaxy’s player personnel decisions after the team’s disastrous 2017 season, brought in his son Kurt Schmid last winter to strengthen the scouting department. But the two were not always on the same page with the team’s front office, and Schmid complained repeatedly about not having the flexibility to bring in defensive help during the summer transfer window.

The Galaxy defense and goalkeeping corps, largely rebuilt by Schmid during the offseason, have allowed a conference-worst 54 goals this season.

So far there’s been no word on the rest of the coaching staff, but the Galaxy front office has scheduled a conference call at 2 p.m.