Louis van Gaal: Admits he should have joined Tottenham

[mawspurs]

Louis van Gaal has admitted he may have made a mistake opting to manage Manchester United instead of Tottenham. The Dutchman took over at Old Trafford in 2014 and claims he had the opportunity to join Spurs.

Source: Independent

 

[WhiteHeartLowe]

Lucky escape for us there.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

 

[teok]

 

[dirtyh]

well played

 

[cider spurs]

Unfeckinlucky !!

 

[hughy]

I'm gutted. Who did we end up with? Because whoever it was I doubt he ever did anything good for us...

 

[Dr Know]

This guy is really mad as a box of frogs........I would have just kept my mouth shut

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Going back a few years now I initially advocated getting LVG as I believed we needed a manager with a track record of winning.
I'll be honest, I didn't know his ins and outs and he ended up going to Man United so I started disliking the guy.
I then decided I should bring myself up to speed and looked into his winning history.
It's true, he won titles in Spain (with the biggest club in Spain) and Holland (with the biggest club in Holland) and in Germany (with the biggest club in Germany)
What is often overlooked is how, after winning titles with the afforementioned giants of those leagues, he followed up by being sacked, by all of them bar Ajax. Much like Mourinho, he has an incredibly short shelf life of 2 to 3 seasons at absolute best. This leads me to think he's won things at giant clubs DESPITE him, not because of him.
I very much doubt he would have even got us a top 6 finish as his wacky ways are completely useless to bunch of average footballers who need guidance.

I think he's been well and truly found out since Man United, where he was shown up as a bit of a fraud.

I like the fact he has announced his retirement, some 2 years after anyone last offered him a job.

Delusions of grandeur.

 

[Locotoro]

Going back a few years now I initially advocated getting LVG as I believed we needed a manager with a track record of winning.
I'll be honest, I didn't know his ins and outs and he ended up going to Man United so I started disliking the guy.
I then decided I should bring myself up to speed and looked into his winning history.
It's true, he won titles in Spain (with the biggest club in Spain) and Holland (with the biggest club in Holland) and in Germany (with the biggest club in Germany)
What is often overlooked is how, after winning titles with the afforementioned giants of those leagues, he followed up by being sacked, by all of them bar Ajax. Much like Mourinho, he has an incredibly short shelf life of 2 to 3 seasons at absolute best. This leads me to think he's won things at giant clubs DESPITE him, not because of him.
I very much doubt he would have even got us a top 6 finish as his wacky ways are completely useless to bunch of average footballers who need guidance.

I think he's been well and truly found out since Man United, where he was shown up as a bit of a fraud.

I like the fact he has announced his retirement, some 2 years after anyone last offered him a job.

Delusions of grandeur.

I have to disagree.

In his prime, similar to Mourinho, LVG was a very capable manager and managed his teams to success not in spite of his management. But you're absolutely right that he has a short shelf life, more so, the older he has got because his style is less up to date with modern tactics and his man management doesnt suit some of the more softer natured players in football today.

Having said all that - he was still a very good manager and even good managers of the top teams can still go through a season and not win anything.

 

[garyhopkins]

I have to disagree.

In his prime, similar to Mourinho, LVG was a very capable manager and managed his teams to success not in spite of his management. But you're absolutely right that he has a short shelf life, more so, the older he has got because his style is less up to date with modern tactics and his man management doesnt suit some of the more softer natured players in football today.

Having said all that - he was still a very good manager and even good managers of the top teams can still go through a season and not win anything.

I'm with you. LVG got to manage the best because he was one of the best at his time. It's all about time and place.

Heck, the guy won big things yet now looking back, the team's won trophies despite of him rather than because of him and he's a bit of a fraud? That's a ludicrous statement really.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

I'm with you. LVG got to manage the best because he was one of the best at his time. It's all about time and place.

Heck, the guy won big things yet now looking back, the team's won trophies despite of him rather than because of him and he's a bit of a fraud? That's a ludicrous statement really.

In each of his stints at his clubs he went in when the teams were at a high point and got sacked a year or 2 later after dropping off uncharacteristically much.
Barcelona and Bayern for example were regular winners of their leagues before he took over, by the time he left, they weren't just not top, they were struggling to even challenge.
These 2 teams have such a level of superiority over almost every other team in the country that even an average manager should be in and around the top.

 

[garyhopkins]

In each of his stints at his clubs he went in when the teams were at a high point and got sacked a year or 2 later after dropping off uncharacteristically much.
Barcelona and Bayern for example were regular winners of their leagues before he took over, by the time he left, they weren't just not top, they were struggling to even challenge.
These 2 teams have such a level of superiority over almost every other team in the country that even an average manager should be in and around the top.

Come on Matt you're getting carried away here. In fact it's total poppycock.

Van Gaal produced some great teams at Ajax winning both the UEFA Cup and European Cup (World team of the year in 1995 in his fourth year at the club). That got him the job at Barcelona. He won the title in his first two seasons. Barcelona hadn't won it in the previous 3 seasons!

He later managed AZ Alkmaar to a domestic title (that was like Spurs winning the title now). That success then got him the job at Bayern where Jurgen had lasted less than a year. At the end of his first successful league winning season he was voted Manager of the Year by German footballer. Not bad for a weird and wacky guy who fell out with the egos at Barcelona.

I'm sorry but whilst Van Goal may not have been great for us (who knows really?) you are seriously wrong in claiming that clubs won things despite of him. Love him or loathe him If Poch wins half what Van Gaal won he'd be happy and called a very successful manager. Van Gaal may be a bit strange but he produced some very very good sides.

 

[double0]

Hindsight is a very interesting thing. To be fair at that time of our inclined development Van Gaal would've been a coup he was a serial winner with a massive ego. I reckon he'd of done well at Spurs a better Martin Jol

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Come on Matt you're getting carried away here. In fact it's total poppycock.

Van Gaal produced some great teams at Ajax winning both the UEFA Cup and European Cup (World team of the year in 1995 in his fourth year at the club). That got him the job at Barcelona. He won the title in his first two seasons. Barcelona hadn't won it in the previous 3 seasons!

He later managed AZ Alkmaar to a domestic title (that was like Spurs winning the title now). That success then got him the job at Bayern where Jurgen had lasted less than a year. At the end of his first successful league winning season he was voted Manager of the Year by German footballer. Not bad for a weird and wacky guy who fell out with the egos at Barcelona.

I'm sorry but whilst Van Goal may not have been great for us (who knows really?) you are seriously wrong in claiming that clubs won things despite of him. Love him or loathe him If Poch wins half what Van Gaal won he'd be happy and called a very successful manager. Van Gaal may be a bit strange but he produced some very very good sides.

He fell out with Barcelona because he tried to play Rivaldo, one of the worlds best midfield forwards, on the left wing. The club, the player and the media weren't having it.

He went from there to manage Holland and failed to get them to the 2002 world cup. They lost 1-0 to a 10 man ROI after boasting about how much better the Dutch were.
He was sacked from that job.

He went back to Barcelona after that on a 2 year contract but only lasted a few months before leaving them in 12th, 3 points off the relegation zone, 20 behind Real. He let Rivaldo go on a free despite having a year left on his contract. Players he brought in were shit.

Back to Ajax, left straight away after falling out with Koeman.

Went to AZ, finished 2nd then 3rd. They then won the league after he offered to resign but was convinced to stay.

Went to Bayern, had a poor start but won the league. 2nd season was set to be his last but didn't make it to the end before being sacked.

Went back to manage Holland and actually did well and left on good terms.

Man U...

The guys entire career is packed full of lows and sackings.

 

[garyhopkins]

He fell out with Barcelona because he tried to play Rivaldo, one of the worlds best midfield forwards, on the left wing. The club, the player and the media weren't having it.

He went from there to manage Holland and failed to get them to the 2002 world cup. They lost 1-0 to a 10 man ROI after boasting about how much better the Dutch were.
He was sacked from that job.

He went back to Barcelona after that on a 2 year contract but only lasted a few months before leaving them in 12th, 3 points off the relegation zone, 20 behind Real. He let Rivaldo go on a free despite having a year left on his contract. Players he brought in were shit.

Back to Ajax, left straight away after falling out with Koeman.

Went to AZ, finished 2nd then 3rd. They then won the league after he offered to resign but was convinced to stay.

Went to Bayern, had a poor start but won the league. 2nd season was set to be his last but didn't make it to the end before being sacked.

Went back to manage Holland and actually did well and left on good terms.

Man U...

The guys entire career is packed full of lows and sackings.

I get it Matt, you don't rate him.

However, 1 Champions League, 1 UEFA Cup, 7 league titles, 4 domestic Cups and countless coach and manager of the year awards suggest you are wrong. His career is packed with highs. That's probably why Levy talked to him before he went for Poch.

 

[rupsmith]

I get it Matt, you don't rate him.

However, 1 Champions League, 1 UEFA Cup, 7 league titles, 4 domestic Cups and countless coach and manager of the year awards suggest you are wrong. His career is packed with highs. That's probably why Levy talked to him before he went for Poch.

I posted this on 10 April 2014. Received a lot of “lol” and “wtf” ratings.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_van_Gaal

What is it about this guy exactly that makes him this Messiah everyone perceives him to be? Look at his record.

He managed Barcelona in the late 90s and won stuff but fought with everyone. He failed to qualify with the dutch national team for the 2002 World Cup behind Ireland and Portugal. He then took Barcelona to within in 3 points of the relegation zone and left. He then joined Ajax and quit after internal conflicts. He joined a mid table dutch side AZ and won one trophy in 4 years. He took over Bayern Munich and after a slow start won the double in the first year. He was then sacked after another slow start in the second year. He is now the dutch national team manager.

Seriously wtf has this 62 year old guy done in the last 15 years to show that he can change the culture of a club from top to bottom. His career has been filled with internal conflicts, slow starts and a lack of results. We seem to be star struck because of his exotic name and his "I don't take crap from anyone" demeanor which doesn't seem to have worked anywhere. And now we want him to come to a new league which is the toughest in the world and to a club trying to breach the top 4? Sounds like a typical Spurs fck up waiting to happen. Fck him.

He won the champions league with Ajax 20 years ago!! In 1995! This was in a bygone area where you can have a team of young players to work with for a few years and mold them into a team. These days if a kid can tie his shoelaces by 5, a club will sign him up. Pressures by club Boards are unprecedented.

As for the titles in three leagues - one was dutch with AZ in his fourth year (Steve mclaren won it with twente in his third year to put that league into context), the German one was with Bayern Munich and that too after recruiting robben and having half the German national side at his disposal and la liga was in the late 90s. This guy is a spent force. He is living off past glories.

In simple terms he has won 1 dutch title, 1 German title and 1 German cup in the last 15 years of his career! He is anything but an upgrade.

I seriously do not know how he is going to improve us without spending loads of money. Can't see Levy giving him as much freedom as he tends to want. If we are going to recruit someone else, it has to be someone with premier league experience and success. I can't see anyone out there. The top 4 managers are booked. We are 5th. I don't want anyone below us. Harry maybe ? I don't know. But not Van Gaal

For me back a young tough passionate coach like Tim any day of the week. And people slamming Tim (and also Harry when he was in charge) for their "lack of education" and "lack of sophistication" and "lack of tactical awareness" - Harry got us into the top 4 twice and Tim's premier league results are the best of any Spurs manager. I couldn't care less where Harry and Tim come from - or how they present themselves - if they can keep doing that.

COYS!

 

[garyhopkins]

I posted this on 10 April 2014. Received a lot of “lol” and “wtf” ratings.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_van_Gaal

What is it about this guy exactly that makes him this Messiah everyone perceives him to be? Look at his record.

He managed Barcelona in the late 90s and won stuff but fought with everyone. He failed to qualify with the dutch national team for the 2002 World Cup behind Ireland and Portugal. He then took Barcelona to within in 3 points of the relegation zone and left. He then joined Ajax and quit after internal conflicts. He joined a mid table dutch side AZ and won one trophy in 4 years. He took over Bayern Munich and after a slow start won the double in the first year. He was then sacked after another slow start in the second year. He is now the dutch national team manager.

Seriously wtf has this 62 year old guy done in the last 15 years to show that he can change the culture of a club from top to bottom. His career has been filled with internal conflicts, slow starts and a lack of results. We seem to be star struck because of his exotic name and his "I don't take crap from anyone" demeanor which doesn't seem to have worked anywhere. And now we want him to come to a new league which is the toughest in the world and to a club trying to breach the top 4? Sounds like a typical Spurs fck up waiting to happen. Fck him.

He won the champions league with Ajax 20 years ago!! In 1995! This was in a bygone area where you can have a team of young players to work with for a few years and mold them into a team. These days if a kid can tie his shoelaces by 5, a club will sign him up. Pressures by club Boards are unprecedented.

As for the titles in three leagues - one was dutch with AZ in his fourth year (Steve mclaren won it with twente in his third year to put that league into context), the German one was with Bayern Munich and that too after recruiting robben and having half the German national side at his disposal and la liga was in the late 90s. This guy is a spent force. He is living off past glories.

In simple terms he has won 1 dutch title, 1 German title and 1 German cup in the last 15 years of his career! He is anything but an upgrade.

I seriously do not know how he is going to improve us without spending loads of money. Can't see Levy giving him as much freedom as he tends to want. If we are going to recruit someone else, it has to be someone with premier league experience and success. I can't see anyone out there. The top 4 managers are booked. We are 5th. I don't want anyone below us. Harry maybe ? I don't know. But not Van Gaal

For me back a young tough passionate coach like Tim any day of the week. And people slamming Tim (and also Harry when he was in charge) for their "lack of education" and "lack of sophistication" and "lack of tactical awareness" - Harry got us into the top 4 twice and Tim's premier league results are the best of any Spurs manager. I couldn't care less where Harry and Tim come from - or how they present themselves - if they can keep doing that.

COYS!

There's no doubt that he may have been past his best when Levy paid him a visit, but you can't deny that he has had a successful career. A lot of people seem to forget that every time one team wins another has to lose. It's very rare for a manager to be continually successful whilst moving around.

The interesting, perhaps prophetic part of your analysis revolves around a great (Champions League winning) Ajax team that Van Goal created;

"He won the champions league with Ajax 20 years ago!! In 1995! This was in a bygone area where you can have a team of young players to work with for a few years and mold them into a team."

I think I see what Levy was thinking!

 

[rupsmith]

There's no doubt that he may have ben past his best when Levy paid him a visit, but you can't deny that he has had a successful career. A lot of people seem to forget that every time one team wins another has to lose. It's very rare for a manager to be continually successful whilst moving around.

Well the likes of Pep and Mourinho are the ones who are truely exceptional. Van Gaal has had a generally successful career, but he is certainly not what we needed at the time. Poch turned out to be a brilliant fit for us. On paper so was AVB. Daniel Levy clearly wanted someone who was young enough to engage in a club development project, believe in youth development rather than big money signings and also had an attacking philosophy. All his picks were like that with the exception of Harry Redknapp perhaps - but even then it was under his reign that we grew as a club in many ways including the quality of our youth teams.

Well done Daniel Levy in my view. And thank goodness Van Gaal did not join us.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Tough shit Louis. He was never Spurs.