The Louis van Gaal press conference tomorrow previewing Saturday’s Liverpool match will certainly be interesting. There will be no shortage of provocative story lines to cover, and you can expect Van Gaal will be asked some tough questions. The Dutchman is known to get into a sparring match or two with reporters here and there, when asked a question that he doesn’t care for.
The latest potentially incendiary topic to surface centers around a report that Van Gaal was confronted by some of United’s senior players over his training method and his philosophy.
The Times and The Sun both reported on Thursday that there have been some clashes between United players and the United Manager. Maybe this is just tabloid fodder and media hyperbole and sensationalism. Maybe this is more smoke than fire. That’s up to you to decide.
Thursday's Times back page:
Exclusive – United stars in Van Gaal training row#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/QsZa8dyVJy— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 9, 2015
According to The Times, some senior players confronted Van Gaal in order to “to raise complaints about a lack of creativity” and express their point of view that “training orders have become so inflexible that they are hampering performances.”
Van Gaal is known for his big personality and authoritarian leadership style. It takes a big ego and a big personality to be the boss at a giant club like United and make no mistake Van Gaal is the “boss.” The Dutchman’s my-way-or-the-highway managerial approach has earned him the nickname “Iron Tulip.”
How Van Gaal chooses to lead his team behind closed doors is the business of the club, but a man sometimes referred to as “King Louis” doesn’t exactly hide his brash, confrontational personality at media sessions either.
To be fair, managers and players not getting along is commonplace in football.
Here’s a list of three ex-United players who recently took parting shots at Van Gaal after leaving Old Trafford this summer. Of course, players feel usually feel mistreated when they’re benched or sent away. They have big egos too. Some of these players often voice their disgust and disappointment. Former United Defender Rio Ferdinand completely ripped the entire direction and prospects of the club too. So there’s more piling on.
It’s just one of the many huge story lines heading into the rivalry match against Liverpool on Saturday. You have Van Gaal publicly saying that Ryan Giggs will be his eventual successor; and the Dutchman’s comments that Anthony Martial was signed specifically with this idea in mind.
Additionally, Real Madrid’s President said today that he will not pursue David de Gea in the January transfer window, and that he believes De Gea will sign a contract extension to remain at United. So, lots to discuss!
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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