Wizards’ Vermes turns down offer to become general manager of L.A. Galaxy

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Here’s proof that the glitz, glamour, sun and palm trees of Tinseltown have nothing on good old Middle America.

Wizards technical director Peter Vermes acknowledged Tuesday at a team training session that he had been offered the position of general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy last week by the team’s ownership group, Anschutz Entertainment Group.

After mulling over the offer for a day, Vermes decided to remain in his current job.

“A week ago (Tuesday), AEG asked for permission to speak to me,” Vermes said. “Our ownership group (OnGoal LLC) … granted that permission.

“I got a call, and they offered me the job. The whole thing centered around me overseeing soccer for AEG and serving as GM of the Galaxy.

“I was very flattered at the offer. I’ve known Philip Anschutz well from my time playing with the Colorado Rapids. I’ve always had an idea in mind of working for him.

“At the end, there were a multitude of reasons why I decided to stay.”

Many of those reasons, he said, revolved around believing in the direction OnGoal is taking with the Wizards and generally just liking Kansas City.

“When I thought about this place and the owners I’ve gotten to know …” he said. “This is a great place.”

The Galaxy, which plays the Wizards Sept. 13 in Kansas City, announced earlier this week that it had hired former U.S. World Cup coach Bruce Arena as head coach and general manager.

| Bob Luder, bluder@kcstar.com

Posted on Tue, Aug. 19, 2008 10:15 PM

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