LA Galaxy name Guillermo Barros Schelotto new head coach

The LA Galaxy announced on Wednesday that they have named Guillermo Barros Schelotto as their new head coach.

Schelotto, 45, departed Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors after falling in the Copa Libertadores final, ending a successful spell with the club in which he won two league titles. Before Boca, he won the Copa Sudamericana during three seasons with Lanus.

“I am honored to be the head coach for the most decorated club in Major League Soccer,” said Schelotto in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I am excited to get to work. The LA Galaxy have long been the standard in MLS and I am ready to push the club to new heights.”

Speculation has surrounded Schelotto's MLS future for much of the year, ramping up in the last few months. He was been linked to Atlanta United and Columbus Crew SC before ultimately inking a deal with the Galaxy.

Previous full-time coach, the late Sigi Schmid, resigned in September and finished the 2018 season under Dominic Kinnear as interim boss.

A former MLS MVP, Schelotto played four seasons in Columbus, where he scored 33 goals in 102 regular season appearances and helped Crew SC to the 2008 MLS Cup title.

“After a comprehensive search, domestically and internationally, we believe Guillermo will be a landmark signing for this club,” said LA Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese. “Guillermo is a proven winner who has experience coaching, playing and winning for big clubs. It is our hope that Guillermo’s managing style and familiarity with MLS will bring trophies and championships to LA Galaxy fans and the city of Los Angeles.”

The Galaxy were also linked with Caleb Porter and Kinnear before Schelotto was given the job. The club missed the playoffs again in 2018, nearly overcoming a midseason swoon with a late push under Kinnear, though tripped up with a Decision Day loss at home to the Houston Dynamo. 

This offseason, the club have already appointed te Kloese as general manager and re-signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Chris Pontius. Juninho was also brought back to after previously winning three MLS Cups with the club.