LA Galaxy president Chris Klein pledges to STEP DOWN if the club misses the playoffs

In an email to season ticket holders, LA Galaxy president Chris Klein said he would step down if the team failed to make the MLS Cup playoffs in 2023.

The Galaxy are currently in the longest drought since winning the MLS Cup in their history – they haven’t even made it to the final since 2014, the first season of Klein’s tenure.

In four of the last five seasons, the team has failed to qualify for the playoffs – including clinching the wooden spoon in 2017.

Fans are dissatisfied with Klein and have been calling for his firing – going so far as to protest and call for him to be removed.

But Klein was given a contract extension before the season started and despite being hit with penalties by MLS. The club was penalized for violating league salary guidelines in the acquisition of Argentina winger Cristian Pavon in 2019.

Fans have protested against Klein – especially after he was sanctioned by the league this year

Since 2014, Klein has overseen some of the worst results in the club’s history – with no titles

Those sanctions suspended Klein during this season’s primary transfer window and fined the club $1 million, losing another $1 million in future general allocation funds.

In the letter to fans, Klein said he would step aside if the team failed to make the playoffs this season – which was a step built into his contract extension.

“I love the LA Galaxy. The most important part of the club is the people who are involved every day and who share the same passion as me. Our staff, our players and everyone at AEG work tirelessly to give you a club you can be a part of and be proud of.

“I hold on to the values ​​established by those who came before me, those who are here now and those who will carry the club into the future. This also includes accountability for the results on the field.

When we rented [head coach] Greg Vanney had a plan at the end of the 2020 season to build the football business for our club, and he unfolded a five-year plan to build the LA Galaxy into a club that will compete for championships year after year.

“This plan included making the playoffs in 2022 and reaching the playoffs in 2023. I believe in what we’re building and the people who are building it.

“But if we don’t reach our goals this year, I will step back as president of the club I love so much. This was my commitment to Dan Beckerman and AEG when I agreed to my renewal, and I stand behind that commitment.”

After six games, the Galaxy has three points and no wins. They are 13th of 14 teams in the Western Conference and are second to last in the race for the Supporters Shield.