LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney gets an extension and is not fired. Why?

FanSided MLS

·17 de maio de 2025

LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney gets an extension and is not fired. Why?

Never has a team gone 12 games into the season without a win. The Los Angeles Galaxy have now gone 13 games to open the 2025 MLS regular season and no victories to boast about.

Surprisingly, the defending champions are 0-3-10 entering Rivalry Week. Fans have certainly voiced their disdain for the poor performances on the field. Chants from patrons yelling 'Fire [Greg] Vanney' have not been a one-off.

Vídeos OneFootball

"Greg [Vanney] is one of the most respected and successful coaches in MLS history, and we are excited to be continuing under his leadership."Will Kuntz, GM of the LA Galaxy

Will Kuntz, General Manager of the LA Galaxy, made a major announcement on Friday supporting the team's head coach and dispelling speculation of Vanney's removal.

Vanney was originally under contract through this season as he was extended through 2025 last year. Now, his new deal is reported to be good until the end of the 2028 seaon.

What Kuntz sees in Vanney for the future of the LA Galaxy?

Vanney has been the head coach of the LA Galaxy since 2021. His winning ways from his days with Toronto FC made him the front-runner to replace interim Dominic Kinnear. Guillermo Barros Schelotto was fired midseason in 2020, and Kinnear took over for him the rest of the way.

Having won the 2024 MLS Cup trophy, that made Vanney a two-time championship winning coach. He is also a former player having been a defender for the LA Galaxy from 1996-2001 and again in 2008.

"While this season’s results haven’t reflected our standards, this was a decision made following our 2024 MLS Cup victory, and we remain confident in the project we are building with Greg, and we have a clear path forward to returning to an MLS champion level. Greg’s commitment to development, culture, and high standards is unwavering."Will Kuntz, GM of the LA Galaxy

1. The Resume

Vanney came to the LA Galaxy with more than 250 career wins as a head coach. He made three finals appearances between 2015 through 2018 with Toronto FC.

His nephew, defender Eriq Zavaleta, and former LA Galaxy midfielder Marky Delgado were also a part of the team in those years.

Since 2016, the LA Galaxy made the playoffs just three times. Twice have been under Vanney's tenure. Up until last season, both postseason exits were in the quarterfinals

Vanney brought the LA Galaxy back to more than just relevance and respectability. He returned the franchise to their winning ways. Something that hasn't happened since the days of Bruce Arena more than a decade ago.

2. Not all the problems with the LA Galaxy are Vanney's fault.

Salary cap restraints that forced the Los Angeles Galaxy to trade away key pieces like Delgado, Gaston Brugman and forward Dejan Joveljic. Young defender and LA Galaxy Academy product Jalen Neal was also sent off to CF Montreal.

Injuries have plagued the LA Galaxy even since last season. Midfielder Riqui Puig tore his ACL in the 2024 MLS Western Conference Finals.

Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus, Miki Yamane, and captain Maya Yoshida have all missed multiple games this year. All five players were a part of last season's championship roster.

"I’m honored to continue this journey with a club that has meant so much to me. We know we haven’t started this season the way we intended, but we believe in the group, in the process, and in what we’re building. I’m fully committed to our players, our fans, and this organization—and I’m excited for what’s ahead."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Wednesday night's game marked the first time all season that the Los Angeles Galaxy held a 2-0 lead at any point this year. The team unfortunately lost the match, 3-2, against the Philadelphia Union.

Kuntz must have an understanding of these factors if he is not labeling Vanney as the scapegoat for the winless start to this season. Eyes are locked in on the future for the LA Galaxy.