Former AZ midfielder Brett Holman has told the Australian media Louis van Gaal was ruthless when he played under him at the Dutch club. Van Gaal is currently out of football after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season.
Speaking to Foxsports, Holman was asked how he got on with Van Gaal during his time in the Netherlands. The former Aston Villa player said Van Gaal could be hard, but all he wanted from his players was for them to give everything. Holman believes under Van Gaal, AZ had a great team, and that the Dutchman was certainly the best coach he’s had with regards to on pitch matters.
“Oh yeah. He could rip shreds into you, just for the fact he wanted so much from his players, and we had a great side, especially because we were young enough, hungry enough. He was ruthless, but the best coach on the field – I had better away from the field – but on the pitch he was the best I’ve ever had,” said Holman on his AZ boss.
Van Gaal re-built his reputation at AZ after stepping down in his role as the technical director of Ajax following internal conflict. Under Van Gaal, AZ won the Dutch league in 2009, which led to Bayern Munich coming in for him at the end of that season. After his spell with the Bundesliga side the 65-year-old went on to manage his country and Manchester United.
