Former Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal gave an in-depth interview about his time at the club, and revealed Sir Alex Ferguson’s admitted about issues at the club.
Louis van Gaal talked in length with BBC’s Simon Stone, where he talked about his experience at Manchester United.
The Dutch former manager was appointed as the club’s manager in 2014 after a managerial career spanning more than 20 years. He lifted league titles at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ and Bayern Munich, before taking the Netherlands to the semifinal of the 2014 World Cup.
However, his tenure at the club lasted two years, during which he won the FA Cup in his final game. Manchester United parted ways with van Gaal soon after the game, announcing Jose Mourinho as his successor.
The former United boss has now raised the curtains over his experiences at the club. He was significantly critical of Ed Woodward, the current executive vice-chairman of Manchester United.
‘Sir Alex knew’:
The former Manchester United manager expressed his concerns over the way the club is run. He criticised Ed Woodward for agreeing a deal with Mourinho six months prior to his own sacking, stating that the executive vice-chairman remained silent on the issue.
He also revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson shared his plight and agreed that there have been problems with the club’s operations.
“At the moment there is a structure with a scouting division and above that is someone at Woodward’s right hand,” Louis van Gaal told Simon Stone.
“The structure is not so bad but the right hand has to be a technical director with a football view, not somebody with a banker’s role,” the Dutchman said.
He claimed that Manchester United is a commercial club.
“Unfortunately, we are talking about a commercial club, not a football club. I spoke to Ferguson about this and in his last years, he also had problems with it,” said Van Gaal.
In the interview, he also explained that the club failed to pursue his first-choice striker when he arrived at the club. In the end, Manchester United agreed on a loan deal with an injury-prone Radamel Falcao, who scored merely four league goals throughout the season.
How Twitter reacted..
“What I don’t like is Woodward contacting my successor, knowing in his mind he will replace me and he keeps his mouth shut for six months.”
Louis van Gaal has spoken on his Man Utd sacking.
Read: https://t.co/y8gdtqDYfs pic.twitter.com/gOyzJA62UT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 26, 2019
Angel Di Maria blamed his Man Utd troubles on Louis van Gaal.
LVG just isn’t having that 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/LleO4ciyso
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 26, 2019
🗣️ “Tottenham were a better selection because Manchester United were an old team and I knew I would have to transform them. Was it the wrong choice? Maybe, but I follow my heart.”
Louis van Gaal on choosing to manage Manchester United over Tottenham (via @BBCSport). pic.twitter.com/UPJ4n0UNyW
— The Coaches’ Voice (@CoachesVoice) March 27, 2019
Van Gaal: “The Glazers and Ed Woodward asked me (to commit for three years). That is why I am still angry with the way they chose to do it. Ed Woodward knew Manchester United would be my last club.” #mufc [BBC]
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) March 26, 2019
What next?
Manchester United returns to action on March 30 as the side takes on Watford in the Premier League.
