Manchester United 'Didn't Have Qualities To Become Champions,' Says Former Coach

Manchester United's ex-coach Louis Van Gaal took a shot at his former ball club, saying the Red Devils were not shaped to become champions during his tenure. Having handled Man United for two years, the retired Dutch manager lambasted the club’s transfer strategy as he claims he and the team were never on the same page.

Van Gaal shared his frustration at the time when United allegedly disregarded his demands as a coach. As he revealed significant figures during his short stint, he said the club “failed to land any of the targets he asked for” despite its massive annual turnover.

“Manchester United did not have the qualities to become champions and had an outdated selection with 10 players over 30, five over 35,” Van Gaal told Voetbal International. “So I told them I was going to rejuvenate and which players should come. I didn’t get one of those.

“Then you end up in a different segment and as a coach, you have to push your boundaries. You don’t expect that at the richest club in the world.

“A turnover of £600 million and can’t buy the players you need. You should buy number one and not number seven. Of course, the selling club also thinks: ‘If you are so rich, you also have to pay the highest amount imaginable for a player’. That was what happened with transfers.

“Then you have to do with the numbers seven or eight on your wish list. For which you actually pay way too much money, on which the coach is judged and convicted.”

Van Gaal took the helm at Old Trafford in the summer of 2014. After a shaky start, the veteran coach eventually found his bearings and steered Man United in capturing the FA Cup in 2016 – a feat which he boasts of up until today.

“Despite those disappointments, Manchester United did win the FA Cup. Manchester United has actually been the greatest achievement of my career.”

But in a stunning turn of events, Van Gaal was sent to the exits just two days after the FA Cup win and was replaced by Jose Mourinho. He took on a sabbatical in 2017 before officially announcing his retirement in March 2019.