Guillermo Barros Schelotto checks all the boxes for LA Galaxy

Schelotto after a successful two years with Boca, winning the first division twice and getting the club to the Copa Libertadores finals and nearly won it, despite some tremendous off-field adversity. With his pedigree inside and outside MLS, he’s a great pickup for the Galaxy. Additionally, a coach choosing to leave one of the biggest clubs in South America for MLS adds to a growing trend of MLS attracting major coaching talent to the league.

GBS is familiar with MLS from his time playing in Columbus from 2007-2010. He won’t need anyone to explain what a SuperDraft is or the DP roster rule. This could help offset some of the learning curve that General Manager Dennis Te Kloese will have in his first year in MLS.

The 45-year-old Argentine also brings connections to South America that the Galaxy haven’t had before. MLS is trending away from aging European players in favor of young South American talent with potential. In the past, the Galaxy have relied on European super stars to win trophies. Schelloto will have connections in South America that the Galaxy have never had or explored.

He will also come with the name recognition and cache similar to that Tata Martino that will attract South American players to the Galaxy. In the same way the reputation of the club and hearing how good it was to play for Bruce Arena attracted Europeans to the Galaxy, Te Kloese and Schelloto will now be able to attract quality DP and TAM level players from south of the equator.

Guillermo Barros Schelloto will be familiar with the current atmosphere of the Galaxy. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic in probably the last year of his career, the club is in win now mode. They must make the playoffs and compete for a title in 2019. Schelloto knows what that’s like coming from Boca Juniors, who don’t rebuild so much as they reload.

Lastly, Schelloto will have to work with Te Kloese to figure out the DP situation. Schelloto was a very similar player to what Giovani dos Santos can be if he ever achieves his potential. If anyone can get more out of Gio in MLS, it would probably be GBS. He and Te Kloese will have to make a tough decision that could involve the club moving one of their DPs and in a position where they won’t be negotiating from a position of strength with the clubs vying for one of their DPs.

Schelloto will have to decide which players he and Te Kloese value to ultimately decide who to dispose of and how to transfer them. The Galaxy have their men. Now they have decisions to make.