World Football

LOS ANGELES, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Former United States coach Bruce Arena was named Ruud Gullit's successor at the struggling Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday.

Arena, 56, was introduced as the new head coach and general manager in a news conference at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Former European Footballer of the Year Gullit, who had been appointed in November, resigned last week for personal reasons. General manager Alexi Lalas was also fired in a related move.

"I am very excited to assume this position with the Los Angeles Galaxy," said Arena who takes charge of his first game at home to the Chicago Fire on Thursday.

"I realise we have a lot of work ahead and I am optimistic with the support of management, our coaching staff and the players we will move forward to positioning this team to qualify for this season's MLS playoffs.

"My ultimate goal is to win championships and build a club all of our fans will be proud of."

Arena, who coached the U.S. from 1998 to 2006, brings a high level of experience to David Beckham's Galaxy.

FIRST STINT

In his first stint as an MLS coach Arena led DC United to back-to-back MLS Cup titles in 1996 and 1997.

After standing down as U.S. coach following the 2006 World Cup, he took charge of the Red Bulls before leaving the club by "mutual agreement" last November.

"While it has been a very difficult week I believe the end result is a very positive step forward for the Galaxy," said Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of AEG, the entertainment conglomerate that owns the club.

"Bruce is the best coach for the Galaxy and certainly one of the best coaches in the history of the league. I am impressed with his passion, desire and focus and believe his recent experiences with the U.S. and Red Bulls have prepared and motivated him for this next challenge."

Although the Galaxy made a promising start to this season with former England captain Beckham and U.S. international Landon Donovan in good form, they are in the middle of an eight-game winless streak.

The team lie fifth in the Western Conference and have conceded a league-high 42 goals in 20 games as they bid to reach the playoffs for the first time in three years.