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Gullit appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy

Ruud Gullit coaches the Rest of the World team before taking on England in a Soccer Aid Charity match at Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, on May 27 last year. PHOTO: AP

The Los Angeles Galaxy have hired former European Player of the Year Ruud Gullit as their new head coach, the Major League Soccer club announced on Thursday.

The Galaxy scheduled a news conference at the Home Depot Center stadium yesterday to introduced the 45-year-old Dutchman.

British television station Sky Sports reported during its UEFA Champions League coverage on Wednesday that Gullit would sign a three-year contract to coach Los Angeles who boast English star David Beckham in their lineup.

Gullit and Beckham are scheduled to attend the news conference along with Simon Fuller, creator of Britain's Pop Idol and American Idol, Galaxy chief executive Tim Leiweke and club president Alexi Lalas.

Gullit will replace Canadian Frank Yallop, who resigned to become coach of the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Galaxy said they were hoping to hire a high-profile name to take charge of Beckham's team and with the addition of Gullit they have succeeded in their quest.

The Amsterdam-born Gullit had a glorious playing career and was considered one of the elite attacking players of his era.

Besides being named European Player of the Year in 1987 he was twice chosen World Player of the Year (1987, 1989). He dedicated his 1987 European award to the then jailed South African hero Nelson Mandela.

Gullit beat out other possible candidates Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klinsmann and Fabio Capello.

His playing career included stops at AC Milan, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, Sampdoria and Chelsea.

As a manager, Gullit has guided Chelsea and Newcastle United in the English Premier League and Feyenoord of the Dutch league.

He joined Chelsea, taking over as player-manager when Glenn Hoddle left to manage England in 1996.
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