“When you bring Van Gaal in the house, you bring in quality," said the Saints boss . “But you also bring in someone who thinks he knows everything. And that will cause clashes.
There is a big difference between him and and me as managers. I was his assistant at Barcelona after the World Cup in 1998. I learned a lot of things from him.
“But the way he handles his players is totally different from the way I work. I don’t put as much pressure on the shoulder of players.
“When you have Van Gaal in charge, it is a fact that there is fear in his team. The players have a fear for Mr. Van Gaal. That is not always good."
“After Van Gaal coached the Dutch national team at the World Cup, the Dutch federation had to decide to bring in a manager who would bring in a soft touch," said Koeman.
“The players needed an arm around their shoulder. A manager who is calmer than Van Gaal.’’
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-manager-louis-van-8706517
What do we think of these fresh new quotes from Koeman then?
Koeman & Van Gaal
posted on 24/2/15
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 15 minutes ago
For all his success, in all 3 of his foreign club jobs (outside of Holland) he has pretty much ended them either being sacked or leaving on not the best of terms.
From his wiki
"Van Gaal expressed that it was difficult to implement his football philosophy at Barcelona due to cultural differences, and that he struggled hard as some players were unwilling to follow his lead."
Sounds familiar.
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Thing is, I actually think the players are buying into his methods and are trying to follow his lead.
posted on 24/2/15
Di Maria
Maybe they are but there are no guarantee's his philosophy is the answer.
posted on 24/2/15
Maybe the rule with an iron fist/ fear factor style of management is an antiquated approach with the modern day footballer.
posted on 24/2/15
Robbing_Hoody
Didn't Ferguson say he had to change his style over the years to adapt to the modern day footballer. LVG doesn't seem to be the best at adapting, it's either his way or f-ck it.
posted on 24/2/15
Not sure manu1982 but I've no doubt he did adapt. He must have! Came into a hard man drinking culture and before long was having Beckham cornrow his hair. I seem to remember him having the odd grumble about the pop star lifestyle for sure.
posted on 24/2/15
Wonder how long it'll take lvg to bite this time?
posted on 24/2/15
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
My first thought is that he's basing his comments on working with LVG 17 years ago. More than half of LVG's career has passed since they parted ways. Perhaps the old man has learned a thing or two since then and changed his approach. Personally, I don't get the sense that our players are afraid of him. I think fear was probably a bigger weapon in Fergie's armoury.
I do think he puts more pressure on the players in terms of expecting them to think more, which could be a factor in our mediocre form.
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Koeman worked with him at Ajax around 2005 and Van Gaal was booted within a month because of a falling out with Koeman.
posted on 24/2/15
comment by RS ⚽™-442/433/451 > Philosophy (U9953)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
Wonder how long it'll take lvg to bite this time?
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I look forward to some pie charts showing Fear to Results ratio and how an arm around the shoulder leads to a 10% decrease in direct balls played
posted on 24/2/15
Sideways fear is okay.
posted on 24/2/15
To hell with arm around the shoulders of rich-a*s-grown men!