LA Galaxy name Greg Vanney Head Coach

LOS ANGELES (Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has named Greg Vanney Head Coach. Vanney, 46, began his professional career as a player with the LA Galaxy and returns as Head Coach after a six-year stint as Toronto FC’s Manager in which he became the only coach to capture an MLS Treble by winning MLS Cup, the MLS Supporters’ Shield and the Canadian Championship during the 2017 season.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to coach the LA Galaxy,” said Vanney. “The LA Galaxy are an iconic club with a rich history in Los Angeles, MLS and North American soccer over the last 25 years. I want to thank Dennis te Kloese, Chris Klein, Dan Beckerman and Mr. Anschutz for the opportunity to coach this team and represent a club so close to my heart. I am committed to working tirelessly for this club, our fans and Los Angeles to win a championship. I look forward to this new challenge in my career and am eager to get started.”

Vanney’s coaching staff at the LA Galaxy will be named at a later date.

Vanney stepped down as Toronto FC manager following the 2020 MLS Season as both the most successful and longest-tenured coach in Toronto FC’s history with every major club record, including total wins (112) and games coached (250). In all, Vanney recorded an 87-68-48 MLS Regular Season record and a 10-5-2 MLS postseason record while being named MLS Coach of the Year and Concacaf Coach of the Year in 2017. As Toronto FC’s coach, the former Galaxy defender helped lead his side to the MLS Cup Playoffs in five of the previous six seasons (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020), while making appearances in three MLS Cup Finals (2016, 2017, 2019) and the Concacaf Champions League Final (2018). He also helped his side capture three-straight Canadian Championships (2016, 2017, 2018).

“Greg is a part of the history of the LA Galaxy and we are confident that he is the right person to lead our team moving forward,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “He has deep knowledge of this club and Major League Soccer as a player and a coach and has proven to be a consistent winner with a championship pedigree. His accolades as Toronto FC’s manager are evidence of his ability to create and sustain success in our league. We look forward to working with Greg to continue to build a team that will compete for trophies.”

As a player, Vanney made 270 total MLS Regular Season appearances, including 193 as a member of the LA Galaxy, tied with Todd Dunivant for the seventh-most appearances of any player in LA Galaxy history and trailing only Cobi Jones (281), Landon Donovan (253), Kevin Hartman (243), Mauricio Cienfuegos (206) and A.J. DeLaGarza (204). With LA, Vanney helped lead the club to a Supporters’ Shield (1998), CONCACAF Champions’ Cup (2000) and U.S. Open Cup (2001) while being named to the MLS Best XI twice (2000, 2001) and earning honors as LA Galaxy Defender of the Year (2001). He also made an additional 32 MLS Cup Playoff appearances, including 26 postseason appearances with the Galaxy.

“We are thrilled that Greg is returning to the LA Galaxy as our Head Coach,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “Greg is focused on building a culture that will serve as the foundation of this club. He is detail-oriented, a fierce competitor and has a deep understanding of our league and what it takes to succeed on and off the field. He will be an outstanding ambassador for the LA Galaxy, our supporters and Los Angeles.” 

Vanney began his professional playing career after being drafted by the Galaxy from UCLA with the 17^th overall selection in the 1996 MLS College Draft. During his time as a professional, Vanney represented the Galaxy, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids and D.C. United in Major League Soccer while also playing a stint for Bastia in France. He also earned 11 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, making his debut in 1996 before later featuring in the 2005 Concacaf Gold Cup Championship and 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Following his retirement after the 2008 MLS season, Vanney served as the Real Salt Lake Youth Academy Director from 2008-2011 before joining Chivas USA as an assistant coach from 2011-2012. Vanney originally joined Toronto FC as the club’s assistant general manager and academy director in 2013 before being named head coach and technical director on August 31, 2014.

LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2021 Major League Soccer season are now available. LA Galaxy fans can go to lagalaxy.com/since96 to secure their 2021 LA GalaxySeason Ticket Memberships. In addition to visiting lagalaxy.com/since96, fans can secure 2021 Season Ticket Memberships by emailing ticketplans@lagalaxy.com.