LA Galaxy appoint Sigi Schmid as new head coach

LA Galaxy have announced Sigi Schmid as their new head coach after Curt Onalfo was sacked.

Schmid, a two-time MLS Cup-winning coach and two-time MLS Coach of the Year, will take charge of his first match on Saturday against Seattle Sounders, live on Sky Sports Football.

The club revealed the news at the same time as explaining Onalfo's dismissal with Galaxy sitting ninth in the Western Conference on a five-game losing streak.

"After a great deal of evaluation and careful consideration, we believe that Sigi Schmid is the best person to coach our team for the remainder of this season and into the future," said LA Galaxy president Chris Klein.

"Sigi is one of the most experienced coaches in the history of soccer in the United States and he is an extremely successful manager that has proven himself to be a winner within Major League Soccer.

"Sigi has been one of the best coaches the history of our league and we have full confidence in him to lead our team moving forward. Our goal remains to win trophies and be the best club in North America and we believe that Sigi gives us the best opportunity to achieve this."

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Schmid, who used to coach LA Galaxy and has spent the last eight seasons with the Seattle Sounders, is the most successful coach in MLS history with 254 career wins between MLS Regular Season and MLS Cup Playoffs

"In the city of Los Angeles and throughout North America, the LA Galaxy are the iconic standard of success and innovation within soccer," said Schmid.

"I am very proud to return to the Galaxy and I know the expectations here are to win championships each year, beginning with a sixth MLS Cup. I am thankful to AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman, Galaxy President Chris Klein and Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas for the opportunity to lead this team.

"I will work tirelessly to again win trophies for the club, its players, our fans and the city of Los Angeles."

Goalkeeper coach Daniel Gonzalez and Assistant Coach Rob Becerra will remain on the first-team coaching staff. Ante Razov will remain with the club in another role.