CARSON, Calif. -- When Bruce Arena decided the time had come for him to get off the couch and go back to work, there were several reasons he coveted the Los Angeles Galaxy job.
He likes the weather in Southern California, and considers the stadium and training facilities in Carson among the best. And, of course, there's the two stars.
"As a coach, I look at this roster, we have Landon Donovan and David Beckham as a starting point. That's fabulous," Arena said, his face still glistening with sweat following his first Galaxy practice. "I think we have a good group of players to join in and make this a good team."
Donovan, who played under Arena on the U.S. national team, is considered the top American player, and Beckham is still good enough to earn a callup on England's national team this.
"I've been impressed with the things he's done in this league given all the issues and the demands on his time," Arena said of Beckham. "I think he's had a pretty healthy attitude toward the league.
"Who wouldn't look forward to working with a great player? That's one of the great parts of this job."
In his dual role as coach and general manager, Arena takes over for Ruud Gullit, who resigned as coach Aug. 11 for personal reasons, and president and general manager Alexi Lalas, who was fired the same day.
Arena takes over a team that hasn't won a game in more than two months, losing four games and tying four. At 6-8-6, Los Angeles is in danger of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
"It is a challenge, but it's a great challenge," Arena said. "I have a great opportunity in a great environment and I think we can make things much better than they are right now.
"We intend to win championships. We know it's going to take time and take some patience. And hopefully a team that will qualify for international competitions and do well there also."
Arena will make his coaching debut with the Galaxy on Thursday night against the Chicago Fire without Beckham, and probably without Donovan and Carlos Ruiz as well -- the trio are with their national teams.
Donovan and Ruiz have a match in Ruiz's native Guatemala on Wednesday night, and Arena said whether either plays against Chicago in Carson depends on how many minutes they play and how their travel back to Los Angeles goes.
The 57-year-old Arena had a clear message for the players before beginning his first training session.
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