Louis van Gaal has enjoyed a successful debut season at the Theatre of Dreams, returning the Red Devils back to the top four, and more importantly, sparking a return to European football after just a one year absence.
However, the Dutchman hasn’t just led a rejuvenation on the field, and has left some fond memories for supporters with his eccentric behaviour and responses. From playing ‘Queens Park Raisins’ to apologising to his wife’s hairdresser (a Manchester City fan) after the derby defeat, we’ve seen it all from the boss. As a result, we have considered van Gaal’s ten finest moments in his first year in Manchester.
10. Louis van Gaal: Vine sensation
One of the finest moments of the campaign for van Gaal came when he could finally reveal his side were (almost) injury free! The manager’s opening few weeks were plagued with a number of injuries, and his selections were regularly deterred by injury. So when he announced he had a full list of players to choose from, his light-heartedness, enthusiasm and ecstasy was placed into a vine with some backing dancers and maracas.
9. Squeaky bum time? Now it’s twitchy ass
Potentially the most iconic phrase to partner Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year tenure at Manchester United became his use of ‘squeaky bum time’. However, it took van Gaal a matter of months to develop his own ideas, describing his ‘twitchy ass’ when watching his side portray a 4-4-2 formation in a victory over Queens Park Raisins. He first described the twitching of his staff on the bench in a post-match press conference.
8. Slating the ManUtd twitter account
With an error from the club’s official Twitter account causing panic amongst supporters, summer signing Daley Blind was reported to be out for six months, rather than six weeks. While he may not be a user of social media, the manager had caught on and made a humorous dig at the account in his next press conference, ensuring they would pay attention.
7. Expression his elation with Ryan Giggs
Throughout the season, van Gaal has regularly expressed his passion and enjoyment during his time at the club with number two Ryan Giggs. From celebrating Ashley Young’s late winner against Newcastle in the face of the Welshman, to celebrating Juan Mata’s effort against Liverpool with a cheeky slap to the face, van Gaal has reaffirmed he has an excellent working relationship. And when the former winger outbidded him at a recent charity match, another knock around the head turned out a little harder than expected.
6. Sharing his transfer list with the world?
When attending a Manchester United Foundation event day, the manager was handed a transfer list of players he would like to see in the summer. Van Gaal ensured the list was kept safe, and later read out. However, when a short clip of the boss reading out the list was published online, supporters faced a moment of hysterical uncertainty, without knowing where the clip had come from, and the original meaning. Nonetheless, one of the targets on the list has been signed (Memphis Depay), meaning could another follow?
5. Philosophy, philosophy, philosophy
If there was one word van Gaal would love to cram into every interview, conference or any comments, it was philosophy. Philosophy is undoubtedly key to the ideas and management of the boss, and evidently works, but his constant use was recognised on social media. However, when it came to describing exactly what his philosophy consisted of, the manager somewhat struggled. It could only be defined as ‘unconscious capable’.
4. Toasting his friends of the media
Despite the humour and witty nature of the manager, van Gaal is also able to show his kind, spirited nature. In a press-conference in the build-up to Christmas, he wished the media a merry Christmas, while sending their family a lot of love in a generous manner. Nonetheless, he remained able to make a joke from the situation too, complementing the club’s sponsor for choice of wine. What a man.
3. Van Gaal slates Big Sam for long-ball comments
After an encounter with West Ham United, the boss was displeased with comments made by their manager Sam Allardyce. As a result, van Gaal opted to take an unusual approach and bring statistics to his next press conference. Handing copies to the media, he explained how the comments were incorrect, and it was in fact Allardyce opting for a long ball style. ‘Long ball United’ had been disproven, and van Gaal had humiliated the Hammers boss.
2. Louis van Gaal’s Red army!
Having secured a 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend, the manager took his time to visit some of the fans waiting outside the ground, signing memorabilia. However, the highlights for all the supporters will be with the Dutchman joining in with his own chant. It’s simple, somewhat Chewbacca-like, but oh so beautiful from the 63-year-old. Louis van Gaal’s Red Army!
1. Player of the Year awards speech
Celebrating his first season at the Player of the Year awards, van Gaal stole the show with his speech. He appeared a little intoxicated, but his eight minutes on stage could be the most remembered eight minutes of his Manchester United career to date. While remarkably managing to motivate with his speech, with cries including “Hello, hello, pay attention to the manager!”, he then managed to top it all off by returning to the stage moments later, to ensure everyone applauded and thanked the ‘saxophone lady’. Utter brilliance from the manager, and fans will be hoping to see many more moments like this.
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