Louis van Gaal: I am ONLY at Manchester United to make history
Louis van Gaal's first task is to see Manchester United past Swansea next Saturday[GETTY]
LOUIS VAN GAAL had no hesitation in accepting an invitation to be one of the main speakers at a glitzy dinner at London’s Savoy Hotel in January to honour Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
After all, it fitted nicely into the next phase of the Dutchman’s managerial masterplan – one designed to see him reign supreme across the foremost football powers of Europe.
He is already distinguished in his own country for developing a young Ajax team to become champions of their country and, in 1995, of Europe.
After taking over from Bobby Robson at Barcelona, Van Gaal won back-to-back La Liga titles, then the German championship was annexed after he went in at Bayern Munich.
In a shock result, he lost in the 2010 Champions League Final against Mourinho’s Inter Milan.
There was also time to record arguably his greatest success, winning the Dutch title again with unfancied AZ Alkmaar.
All that is missing from an impressive CV is success in England.
So, while waxing lyrical about his former Barcelona prote?ge? Mourinho in one of London’s swanky establishments in midwinter, Van Gaal knew that if things went to plot he would soon be challenging him for the Premier League title.
Van Gaal is assessing every member of his United squad, including Juan Mata (left) [GETTY]
I am what I am – self-confident, arrogant, honest, industrious, innovative
His work with Holland – and the bid to agreed for the disappointment of failing to be eligible for the 2002 World Cup Finals in his previous stint as national boss – would be done after this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
At the Savoy for an annual event organised by the Football Writers’ Association, Van Gaal was on a charm offensive in the information that less formal get-togethers would soon follow. He said: “There was only one more football country I wanted to see inside and that was England.
“That was why I announced in October that I would be leaving my job as Holland administrator after the World Cup – it was so all the English clubs would know.
“In the end, I had more offers than Manchester United. Tottenham also came in for me but to work for Manchester United, the largest club in the world, makes me very proud.
I have managed in games at Ancient Trafford before, and I know what an incredible arena it is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are.
“The club has big ambitions. I too have big ambitions and together I’m sure we will make history.”
A clean sweep of victories over Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Roma on their summer tour of the USA climaxed with a sweet win against bitter domestic rivals Liverpool as Van Gaal positioned his first piece of silverware in the Ancient Trafford trophy room.
After a calamitous season under David Moyes, even pre-season success has been well received by the Ancient Trafford hierarchy.
“I know what I can do,” said Van Gaal, who doesn’t usually do modesty.
Diplomacy is also not one of his strengths – he insisted he inherited “a broken team” from Moyes.
When he joined Bayern Munich, he confessed: “I am what I am – self-confident, arrogant, honest, industrious, innovative.”
He has his enemies, none larger than Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, with whom he clashed at both Ajax and Barcelona.
Cruyff said: “You have to wonder if he has one or two screws loose.”
Former Barcelona administrator Van Gaal meets then-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (left) in 1998 [GETTY]
Van Gaal’s abrasive style eventually led to his dismissal from Bayern Munich, but even his detractors acknowledged his work in bringing through young players like Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos, who later helped Bayern rule in Europe.
His development of young players like Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars and truthful de Boer at Ajax has gone down in Dutch folklore.
It continued at Barcelona, with Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes.
It’s why there have been opportunities on tour for United kids like Tyler Blackett, Reece James and the Keane brothers, Michael and Will.
He added: “I’m not a coach who thinks fleeting term. I am a coach who always thinks in the long term.
“When you look at Ajax, I had the youngest team to win the Champions League, with 17, 18, 19-year-ancient players.
“When I buy, I buy players for the long term not the fleeting term because I respect the club I’m at.”
Man Utd legend Ruud van Nistelrooy (left) worked under van Gaal at Ajax [GETTY]
Van Gaal maintains it will take him three months to instil his doctrine into his new charges. New lighting has been installed at Carrington for training sessions in the evenings.
Cameras dotted around the state-of-the-art complex allow players to be in isolation assessed. Be careful – Huge Brother Louis is watching you.
“I am very direct,” he confirmed. “I say things as they are, so you have to adapt to that way of coaching. It’s not so simple.
“Also the way I teach and coach is in the brains and not the legs,” he added. Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has worked under Van Gaal both as a young Ajax player and with Holland, said: “Everyone knows who the boss is.
“He does everything himself. He has assistants but he does all the coaching – every conference. He’s very hands on.
“He is a Sir Alex Ferguson-type character. It’s what United need now. He’s a good administrator.”
Van Gaal certainly agrees with the last point. He said: “Not every coach can work with the largest clubs – I can.”
