LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The struggling Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday named Bruce Arena, former U.S. men's national team coach, as its new coach and general manager.

    "I realize we have a lot of work ahead of us and I am optimistic that 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 (Major League Soccer) playoffs," Arena said after he took over the job.

    "My ultimate goal is to win championships and build a club that all of our fans will be proud of." Arena takes over a team tied for fourth in the seven-team Western Conference.

    The Galaxy is in the midst of an eight-game winless streak with an 6-8-6 record, despite the presence of legendary English midfielder David Beckham and American forward Landon Donovan, the league's leading scorer.

    If the season were to end today, the Galaxy would miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

    Arena, 56, succeeds Ruud Gullit as coach and Alexi Lalas as general manager. Guillit resigned last Monday, citing personal reasons, 19 games into his only season with the team. Lalas was fired last Monday as general manager and team president.

    Arena will make his debut as Galaxy coach on Thursday against the Chicago Fire in Carson near Los Angeles.

    "Bruce is the best coach for the Galaxy and certainly one of the best coaches in the history of the league," said Tim Leiweke, chief executive officer of AEG, which owns the team.

    "I am impressed with his passion, desire and focus and believe that his recent experiences with the U.S. national team and Red Bulls have prepared and motivated him for this next challenge," Leiweke said.

    "We have always felt that the Galaxy should aspire to be the club that sets the pace and tone in Major League Soccer. I believe Bruce sees it the same way and will put us back in that position."

    Arena coached D.C. United to MLS championships in 1996 and 1997,the league's first two seasons. He then coached the U.S. men's national team from 1998 through 2006, guiding it to 71 victories, the most by any of its coaches, and the quarterfinals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, its best finish since 1930.