Van Gaal press conference in full Louis van Gaal addressed the media for the first time since taking over as Manchester United manager... On becoming United boss and being introduced to Sir Bobby.... First of all, I want to thank Sir Bobby Charlton because its a great honour to come into this stadium and be guided by Sir Bobby Charlton. My first steps... okay, my first ones were with Bayern and Barcelona, but as a trainer/coach of United these were my first steps and I was very proud to do that with Sir Bobby Charlton. I have the age to have seen him playing so I know what he means for Manchester United and English football. It was a great honour to do that with him. On getting the Reds back on top again... I will do my utmost best. Thats what I can give. I cannot give predictions because you never know. Its the biggest club of the world. Within two days, I know already how important Manchester United is but also how important the sponsors are. I have to work, I have to prepare a team, I have to adapt to this big club. It shall not be easy but I will do my utmost best and, when you see my career, you can see what I have won. Thats all I can say. The future shall show if I can do that again. So you believe United are the biggest club in the world? Its the biggest club because of how well its known around the world. In sport, you are never the biggest club because every season you have to be prove. Last year, you were seventh so then you are not the biggest club. But its well known all over the world. When I was in China or Brazil, people are talking about United when I was the coach of the Dutch team. Thats the difference. Theres a lot of expectation but its also a great challenge because of that. Therefore, I have chosen this club. I worked for Barcelona - in my opinion, number one in Spain. Ive coached Ajax - number one in the Netherlands, and Ive coached Bayern Munich - number one in Germany. Now Im in Manchester United - number one in England. I hope I fulfil the expectation but it shall be difficult. What is your style? My method is always the same. I want to look at the players now, the players present. Of course I know how the players play. But I dont know the players under my training or coaching. In the first three or four weeks, I want to see what they can do. Then maybe I will buy other players. The players we have bought now - Shaw and Herrera - they were already on the list. I gave my approval because I like them. First I want to see the players performing under my philosophy. The expectations of the fans... The owners and the CEO have a lot of confidence in me. They have come to me and I explained my philosophy and they were excited. Because of that Im here. We have to wait and see if I can fulfil this expectation of those people and the supporters. The fans are very important, I know that. You cannot predict. In the world of football you cannot predict. Nobody could have predicted the Dutch did so well, nobody would have predicted Germany would beat Brazil 7-1. You know that so... why do you ask? Who will become captain? All the players are possible candidates. I have to get to know them, so I will use four, five or six weeks. Or it could be two months. For me, :the captains role is very important. Therefore, I need time. Sometimes I havent had the time - then I have to make quick decisions. But quick decisions are not always good. Ill use my time for it. I think a captain is very important. Will the philosophy extend all the way through to the youth team? The owners and the CEO, Ed Woodward, have asked me to give advice but the main project is the first team. Thats more of a short-term [thing] than the youth - thats a long-term project. The first year or two years we have to separate them. Now, I need all my knowledge to transfer my philosophy into this selection. You have to give me time to do that. Not only you, but also the CEO and the owners. The Class of 92s future... Nicky Butt is already assisting us, Paul Scholes we shall find a role for him and also for Phil Neville, I believe. Thats what we want. But it has to also be possible and we have to look at that. We have to adapt to the qualities of these people. Its not an easy job. We have to speak personally with them - thats why we have to wait and see. Why didnt you take a holiday? Its not allowed! Of course it was better I have a sabbatical or that I come in January. But I could not let them go when you have been asked by the biggest club in the world. Its a big challenge, a big ambition for me. When there is a challenge like this, I never let it go. This is a holiday for me. I like the way I can work. What is your personality? Im democratic, empathetic to human beings. Of course I have a strong personality, but the other characteristics are more important. Thats the key of my personality. What would be a successful season? I dont know. First, what Ive already said, I have to see how the players perform my philosophy and how quick they can pick up this philosophy. Then I can answer. Now, I havent worked with most of them so we have to wait and see. Its very important theres a click between players and the manager. Is fourth place the minimum you expect from this squad? For me, the challenge is always to come first. Not fourth. But when you have to analyse after one season, its dependent on the click between the players and the manager. Coming to England... I have never worked in the Premier League so its a big challenge I wanted to take. I have worked in Spain and Germany and in my time of Barcelona I think at that time the Spanish league was the best league. And in my time in Germany we were the best league. And maybe, when I work here the Premier League is the best league! Are you autocratic? The media wants to show that part of the personality [autocratic]. But that part of the personality is small. But when you repeat that everybody thinks like that. Im always the same person. When I was 39, when I began at Ajax - I played professional football until I was 37 and an assistant - the personality hasnt really changed. Its the same. But autocratic and strong personality is not the same thing and a lot of people think its the same. I have a strong philosophy. Every year Ive trained, it confirms this philosophy. Sir Alex also had a strong philosophy and it was always affirming that because he won a lot of titles. I hope I can do that. Have you spoken to Sir Alex? Sir Alex called me to congratulate me and we have spoken about getting a coffee or to eat with each other. We were always invited to UEFA forums and we would always have a glass of wine. We know each other very well. I shall drink coffee and wine with him - maybe the best wine I can imagine. How does it feel to be United manager? Its difficult to describe. Ive only been here two days. Ive met a lot of people and when you see those kind of people who love the club, you see its a big family and they expect a lot from me. They are very excited to meet me. Can I fulfil that expectation? I think I can do it. But because of the greatness of this club its also much more difficult than in another club. Also, this club is also guided in the commercial way and we have to fulfil that also. And thats not always possible to fulfil both commercial and football. Thats my big challenge after two days. Maybe it will be changing after the US tour, but I dont think so! How important will the experienced players like Wayne Rooney be? You have to know that Im not always convinced of the experience of players. Ive said a lot of times, a boy like Clarence Seedorf was 16 years old... I gave him his debut for Ajax at that time. At 16 he was sometimes more experienced than a player who was 30. It depends on the personality. You named Rooney. For example, Michael Carrick has been injured the day before and thats a blow for me because hes experienced. Its very important we have experienced players, but not only in age and football experience but experience as a human being. My philosophy isnt only the football player but in total. Then there are not so many experienced players. any comment?? #0asu†d
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 08:49:43 +0000
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