The LA Galaxy have appointed Ruud Gullit as their new coach and will formally unveil the Dutch soccer legend at a press conference at the Home Depot Center on Friday.

It is understood the Western Conference club plumped for Gullit after Jürgen Klinsmann turned down their overtures. The 45-year old replaces Frank Yallop, who left to coach former club San Jose this week, having failed to take the Galaxy into the playoffs for the second season running.

President Alexi Lalas' hint on Monday that the club was after 'a sexy type of candidate' was proven to have been a reference to the former European Footballer of the Year, who coined the term 'sexy football' in 1996.

Gullit, the biggest name from world soccer to have been put in charge of an MLS team, is believed to have signed a three-year deal worth around $10 million, which will make him the league's highest paid coach.

David Beckham, Galaxy President Alexi Lalas and AEG CEO Tim Leiweke are expected to attend Friday's press conference.

Born in Amsterdam in 1962, Gullit made his debut for HFC Haarlem at the age of 16 before moving four years later to Feyenoord, scoring 30 goals in 85 games.

After notching 46 goals in 68 appearances for PSV Eindhoven, Gullit joined AC Milan in 1987 to form a Dutch trident alongside Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten.

Gullit's glory years saw him win the European Footballer of the Year award in 1987, the European Championship with the Netherlands in 1988 and the European Cup with Milan in 1989 and 1990.

After three Serie A title wins with the Rossoneri, Gullit moved to Sampdoria in 1993, and following a brief interlude back at the San Siro, left for Chelsea two years later.

Gullit became coach of Chelsea in 1996 and two seasons later, Newcastle, but was fired from each club after less than two seasons.

His last coaching role was at Feyenoord, whom he guided to fourth place in the Eredivisie in 2004-05 before quitting at the end of that season. During his brief tenure at De Kuip, Gullit signed US international Cory Gibbs, who became a fixture in his starting eleven.

Since leaving De Kuip, Gullit has been employed as a TV pundit on British and Dutch soccer shows.