van Gaal says it’s ‘an honour’ to manage Man Utd
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that it is an ‘honour’ to be manager of such a big club as he looks to take the Red Devils back to the top of club football.
Van Gaal, 63, took charge of United in the summer after David Moyes was sacked for a poor season that saw the 20-time league champions drop from title winners to seventh place in just one season.
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It was a hard reality check for the former Everton boss but he has learnt from his experience as he now looks to take Real Sociedad to new heights in Spain. However, back to Van Gaal and the Dutchmen is loving every minute of his time in Manchester.
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The former Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Barcelona boss is still adjusting to life in England but as the weeks go by the tactical genius is slowly beginning to show his class as the season approaches its finally. He was given one target at the beginning of the season and that was to finish inside the the top four to secure Champions League football. And right now the side are doing so, and with that the boss has admitted its an honour to end his managerial career at such a club. He said in an exclusive interview with The Telegraph:
"“It is an honour and a challenge to be coach of United because I was trainer-coach of No 1 (team) in the Netherlands, No 1 in Spain and No 1 in Germany. I had a choice to be manager of different clubs (like Spurs). I have chosen the No 1. I am very proud. I don’t think there are many other coaches who can say that.“I’ve set always goals. Everything that I’ve reached I’ve set in advance – that I go to the Premier League for example.“I said it a year before (the World Cup) to my federation, and everybody was ‘aghhh, it is not possible’. I said: ‘I go after the championships’. One experience in the world championship is, for me, enough.”"
Van Gaal has received some criticism over the last eight months due to the tactics he has used in games. However, injuries forced him to do so with over 40 before the Christmas period ended which shows how unlucky the side have been this campaign.
But despite that, the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick have risen to the challenge and they are so far guiding the younger players in the right direction as Van Gaal looks to balance out his side.
A fourth placed finish will be enough for Van Gaal and United this season before they rebuild this summer but they were close to securing a trophy with a semi-final spot in the FA Cup narrowly avoiding them – as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
It was a damaging blow but Van Gaal had time to add how good the fans have been as they still applauded him after the game despite the loss. And he now hopes that can continue because its a different feeling to the one he received during his past. He added:
"“I go from the pitch after Arsenal and, of course, there are some yelling at me, but most applaud – in spite of the defeat.”“It is also for the manager of Manchester United. I hope also for me – but you never know! I like it very much because I never had that experience. At Barcelona, the handkerchiefs were there. In Amsterdam, they are whistling. Also in Munich, they are whistling when you have a defeat. But here, applause.”"
Van Gaal is currently on a three-year contract and he is expected to see that out before Ryan Giggs is promoted from assistant to head coach.