Things to know about new LA Galaxy manager Greg Vanney

As we enter a new year, LA Galaxy have entered a new chapter by hiring Greg Vanney as their new head coach.

After parting ways with Guillermo Barros Schelotto in October, the Galaxy took their time to decide on who would take charge of the next era of the football club. Vanney was the man they settled on and, after finally securing the deal, can now move forward with trying to make the playoffs.

But who is Greg Vanney? Let's take a closer look at the new LA Galaxy boss looking to lead the club to the MLS promised land.

1. He's a former LA Galaxy player

We've seen a trend in Europe recently among the top clubs of hiring club legends as their managers and it seems as though LA Galaxy have followed suit.

Vanney spent seven seasons across two different spells as a member of the Galaxy family, winning the Western Conference three times as well as some cup competitions. He was even named in the MLS All-star XI twice.

2. USMNT for a decade

As a player, Vanney was also capped for his country 37 times. He scored just one goal, but was part of the 2005 squad that lifted the CONCACAF Gold Cup too.

He made his debut in 1996 as a 22-year-old, before making his final appearance in 2006.

3. Played in Ligue 1

After his first spell with LA Galaxy ended in 2001, Vanney made the move to Europe and joined Ligue 1 side Bastia.

He helped the side make their first Coupe de France final in 20 years during his first season and even played alongside the great Michael Essien. Not bad, eh?

4. Manager of Toronto FC for seven seasons

After working as an assistant at Chivas FC, Vanney took over as head coach of Toronto FC in 2014.

He spent parts of seven seasons in Canada and was tremendous, winning three Canadian championships, three Eastern Conference playoffs, four Trillium Cups and an MLS Cup during his tenure before resigning in December 2020.

5. He formed the Sebastian Giovinco-Jozy Altidore partnership

As Toronto FC became a force among the MLS clubs, Vanney formed one of the best strike partnerships in the club's history when he signed Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.

He switched his formation to 3-5-2 to get the two closer to goal and each other and it worked, as they went on to lift the MLS Cup in 2017 with the two players scoring a combined 38 goals.

6. His footballing idols are Diego Maradona and Ronald Koeman

Considering he was a defender this may come as a bit of a surprise, but then it probably won't because, well, it's Diego Maradona.

Vanney revealed in an interview with The Athletic in March 2020 that Maradona was one of his favourite players growing up, although he based his game on current Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman.