If Louis Van Gaal had been a manager in the days of Athens and Sparta, he would have been a god alongside Zeus, Athemis and Hercules. But in present day football where fresh blooded Pep, Simeone and Klopp are unjustly looking for older Managers to embarrass and send into compulsory retirement, LVG should have known that his rigid style will get him very far into the land of Nowhere.
On the heels of a season, rife with calamitous football orchestrated by David Moyes, Van Gaal was brought in to restore United's glory. Many felt the job should have stayed with Ryan Giggs, who saw United through the last four games of the season. Yours sincerely felt so too. Manchester United hierarchy felt otherwise. Van Gaal came and reduced expectations in Old Trafford. He lowered the standard in the Theatre of Dreams drastically. Oya, kuku meet the chinkiri standard he set, mba! Manchester United fans are used to winning. They are not used to any Manager telling them they expect too much. Their up standing phallus was sent hiding between the legs by Van Gaal with his absurd comments, results and formation. There is a reason modern day coaches are called Managers. LVG failed in that aspect. The reason a hugely talented Angel Di Maria failed in the United shirt was down to Van Gaal's managerial deficiencies. Imagine a Sir Alex Ferguson managing a team with Di Maria on the wings with a Wayne Rooney behind the main striker pinging passes across the field. You see trophies right? Stop imagining. It did not happen. LVG was so rigid with his training regimen that players had to appeal to him to be flexible. I am no supporter of player power but their should be an appreciable level of understanding between players and manager. In fact, mid way into the just concluded season, it was obvious he had to go. I give it to him; not many managers will have the heart to give first team chances to Marcus Rashford, Fosu Mensah, Paddy McNair and Bothwick Jackson who were teenage footballers. He had the balls to. I give it to him. That is however, not what the present day United is about and that is why despite his FA Cup success last weekend he was relieved of his job. United is about attacking football. Have you ever wondered how Fergie won the EPL with a team that had Tom Cleverly, (unfit) Anderson, Darron Gibbs and Johnny Evans? With these players LVG would have relegated Manchester United, but Fergie did wonders with them. Van Gaal's leaving came as a surprise to no one. Not even to himself.
José Mourinho is widely touted to be the next Manchester United manager, with Zlatan expected to follow him to the club. Better times for United fans if that happens. I must say though, not exciting times. José is a result oriented coach. But unless he upgrades, his style of play which is very predictable, will in no time bore United fans. Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Fantastic player. Tested and trusted. Lively character. Huge ego. Whatever happens, when United fix the managerial puzzle, we will analyse. Football fans have every right to be expectant. With Contè, Pep, Pochettino, Ranieri, Klopp and a possible José, it is going to be a game of thrones. Orgasm await EPL fans.
Photo credit: skysports.com
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