The world is slowly realizing that Louis Van Gaal is the perfect man for the Manchester United job. The media reports issued following the hiring of the Dutchman were focused not on what he could do, but what he couldn’t do. Critics were swift to point out when and where Van Gaal has failed in the past, and not on the prospect of success following such an abysmal season at Old Trafford.
At this point, I would consider myself one of Van Gaal’s biggest fans outside of Manchester United supporters. It began at the World Cup, and essentially everything he has said and done since then in England has been calculated and quantified. For me, one of his best quality is to never settle.
In my opinion, had it been David Moyes answering the post-game questions today, he would have said something along the lines of ‘we’re ecstatic with the result.’ Not Van Gaal. He knows exactly what he wants out of his players, and although winning games is never a bad thing, he still expects his players to play according to his tactical setup regardless.
Today’s post-game comments typified Van Gaal. He had some choice words for his squad, who didn’t play as well as they could have, and he was probably right. He did say his squad underperformed, but carefully hailed the players’ efforts and commitment to the preseason preparations. He could have singled out Fellaini as the hero, but it’s not in Van Gaal’s nature to put his players on a pedestal.
What he did express, however, was the sheer experience of managing Manchester United in the premier league in front of Manchester United’s loyal and steadfast support. Winning over the clubs support will be key for Van Gaal, and he knows it, but this wasn’t an effort to appease the fans; this is just who he is.
Van Gaal is notorious for grabbing the spotlight instead of his players, focusing much of the attention his club receives toward himself. Some would interpret this as selfish and egotistical, but it’s the same strategy legendary American ice hockey coach Herb Brooks used with his squad in the 1980 Olympics (yes, the movie is accurate). This is a strategy that either can work or not work, because it takes a mercurial personality to bear the burden of accepting all responsibility in the media.
Where Louis Van Gaal stares straight into the face of any reporter who questions him, David Moyes scratches his head and tries to play off tough questions by saying things like ‘the squad is working hard’ and ‘we played well despite the result.’ There is no nonsense with Van Gaal, and that’s what I love about him.
Too many times throughout the season were Manchester United fans subjected to Moyes’ excuses and claims that the squad was playing well regardless of their mid-table position. There will be no such poetry with Van Gaal, who would rather fight a reporter hand to hand than see one of his players wrongfully disrespected by the media.
The biggest news out of Manchester today was that Van Gaal had named Wayne Rooney captain. I was afraid for United’s sake that he would immediately appoint Robin Van Persie, his preferred captain for the national team, instead of the Manchester United golden boy. Choosing Rooney as captain will do wonders for the player himself, while choosing Van Persie would have only caused questions and scattered infuriation from fans.
Having an English captain at an English club is always a boost for the supporters, who could seldom relate to the Serbian Nemanja Vidic prior to Rooneys appointment. Rooney has now been at the club for over a decade and is undoubtedly the most popular United player in the world. In Rooney, Van Gaal has a mix of someone who is a loyal servant to the club and someone who features regularly and also happens to be one of the best players. It’s an ideal situation and Rooney will take the appointment to heart.
Seeing the clips of Van Gaal in Los Angeles personally coaching his players on the field in shooting mechanics and set-piece routines only reaffirmed his identity as a meticulous and dedicated manager. However, the sight of him and Rooney hugging in training following a well-played corner kick sold me that this is the guy for the job. Coaching is so ambiguous, in that there are so many methods. King Louis’ methods are often questioned, but the Dutchman’s biggest strength is that he never questions himself.
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