Galaxy assistant coach Dave Sarachan is stepping down

Longtime Galaxy assistant Dave Sarachan is leaving the team to pursue other coaching opportunities, he said Wednesday.

“I don’t have anything specific lined up. I just felt like this was the right time,” said Sarachan, 62, who was Bruce Arena’s assistant for three years with the national team and for three MLS Cup-winning seasons with the Galaxy.

Sarachan also coached under Arena at the University of Virginia and with D.C. United before moving on to become head coach of the Chicago Fire, where he won a U.S. Open Cup, a Supporter’s Shield and reached the MLS Cup final in 2003, his first season with the Fire. He was named the league’s coach of the year that season.

“I still feel I have the energy to coach,” said Sarachan, who would prefer to remain in the professional ranks but who also had a long, successful career at the college ranks at Cornell and Rochester in addition to Virginia. “I want to coach. I want to be on the field.”

Sarachan said his decision had nothing to do with rumors swirling around Arena, whose contract as coach and general manager of the Galaxy ends after this season. Arena has been mentioned as a possible replacement with the U.S. national team if Jurgen Klinsmann is replaced. At 65, Arena could also decide to step away from the Galaxy job.

Sarachan said one opportunity he would relish would be the chance to coach with the Los Angeles Football Club, an expansion MLS franchise that begins play in 2018.

“That checks all the boxes,” he said.