King Louis makes me laugh without meaning to.
Asked in California how Schweinsteiger fitted into the team in the second half against San Jose, Van Gaal said, “He was also bad.”
Successful coaches are demanding coaches, I reckon.
They do not tolerate sloppiness. Mourinho and Guardiola are very demanding, and so is Luis Enrique at Barcelona.
A year ago LVG flew from Brazil, where he had just guided Holland to the semi-final of the World Cup, to USA, where he joined Ryan Giggs on Manchester United’s tour.
He said “Holidays are for wimps.”
Although Van Gaal is a big character with a long CV, his team must always speak for him.
In that he’s like every other football manager.
Mainly, I judge a manager on what he does, not what he says. And I judge him on what his team wins.
I look at a club’s resource-base and decide whether the manager is under-achieving.
Having said that, some clubs will always be much bigger than others.
To me the manager of Manchester United is the biggest public figure in English life.
Prime Ministers get voted out after one or three elections.
Thatcher lasted 11 years while Ferguson managed Manchester United for 27.
Sir Alex once described City as “our noisy neighbours.”
But I’m sure Fergie would agree that your rival makes you stronger.