Former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has broken his silence by speaking out against executive vice-chairman of the club Ed Woodward. The Dutchman announced his retirement earlier this month and sat down for his first interview with the BBC this week since his sacking back in May 2016.
Van Gaal was dismissed only to be replaced by Portuguese Jose Mourinho who has also been critical of United’s hierarchy since he was relieved of his duties.
The greatest achievement
Van Gaal, not one to mince his words, was critical of the way in which he was let go of the managerial role at the club by Woodward. Van Gaal was not impressed by how Mourinho was approached behind his back months prior to the split.
The Dutchman intimated how difficult it was to appear in front of a notoriously hostile English media as rumours were circulating surrounding his departure. He said the pressure felt like “a noose round my neck”, which led him to claim that under those circumstances the FA Cup he won for the club was his greatest managerial achievement.
Considering that Van Gaal won domestic honours in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain as well as a Champions League win with Ajax back in 1995 makes it a bold claim. Perhaps guilty of hyperbole, it shows that his dismissal and the manner in which it occurred still stings somewhat.
All down to Mourinho
Van Gaal was candid with his views about the style of play of his successors, which isn’t surprising considering the majority of criticism thrown his way during his time at Old Trafford centred on the entertainment value of his football.
Van Gaal’s claim that now interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s successes are owed to what the Norwegian has inherited from Mourinho. Solskjær has revitalised the United support and breathed new life into their top four chances in the Premier League, something Mourinho said would need a miracle.
The former Bayern and Barça boss spoke of how Mourinho and Solskjær both employ a “park-the-bus” style of tactics, the only major difference being that Solskjær is winning. This will no doubt irritate United fans who feel that Solskjær’s attitude and style of play has been much more positive than his immediate predecessors.
Champions League contenders
Van Gaal believes United have a chance of lifting the Champions League precisely because of that style of play. United are currently outsiders in the competition but at high odds combined with a great betting sign up bonus it does make for a tempting prospect. To find the best betting offers and sign up bonuses consult a dedicated comparison guide recommended here. United pulled off a shock victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 with an injury time penalty against the odds. That grit gives them a great chance.
What won’t sit well with Van Gaal’s former faithful are the comments he made about their cross town rivals. The Dutchman wants Manchester City to storm to their first European title this season because he thinks they play the best football, nudging at his former club Barcelona.
Give youth a chance
Van Gaal may see his own greatest achievement as winning that FA Cup, rightly or wrongly. But given hindsight many United fans would agree that the Dutchman’s greatest contribution at Old Trafford wasn’t silverware, or the signings that are still in the squad to date, rather the youth that flourished underneath his guidance.
Van Gaal himself spoke of the difficulties it would take to rebuild an ageing United side in his initial job interview with Woodward, something that still rings true to this day.
He maintains that his philosophy, whether it was with that great academy-built Ajax side that won the Champions League back in 1995 or at United 20 years later, was always to give youth a fighting chance.
Academy lads such as Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard can proudly join the likes of Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Thomas Müller who have all graduated from the Louis Van Gaal school. The Dutch retiree isn’t shy about letting you know either.
