Louis van Gaal
23rd February was still a rosy day for Bayern Munich, things were still falling in to place, but since then Bayern’s season has gone from bad to worse. Three straight losses to almost champions Dortmund, bowing out of the DFB Pokal to Schalke and finding it difficult to get qualification to the Champions League after a 3-1 loss to Hannover it was clear. Louis van Gaal had to leave.
Louis van Gaal, master Dutch tactician the man who taught the ‘Special One’ and European Champion Jose Mourinho, is hailed as the best manager in the world in the same bracket as (Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ottmar Hitzfield and Jose Mourinho) has always shown anything less than his truly world class. Leading last season to the German double, and almost treble falling short at the final hurdle to Jose Mourinho’s organized Inter Milan side, winning their Treble. Denying Bayern theirs.
The season was outstandingly successful for the Bavarians making Bayern the second most dominant team in Europe after Barcelona FC, Louis van Gaal truly bought hope that Bayern had found their man, but they were not to know that Bayern Munich managerial position is the most difficult job in the world, with the club not willing to compromise on success. German Championship has made its home at the Allianz Arena.
The Champions League winner in 1995 with Ajax Amsterdam was known for his stubbornness, and success in the first season seemed to have gone to his head, not forgetting there were three people over him with bigger egos Uli Hoeness, Karl – Heinz Rummenigge, Franz Beckenbauer. All of them one of the biggest legends the game has ever seen. Espcially Hoeness , who arguably is the best general manager in the world, managing Bayern for thirty years, Van Gaal found it tough to gel with these gems.
He made a few mistakes along the game known to be a strict disciplinarian, made young Holger Badstuber cry with his harsh criticism; even Prankster Franck Ribery was asked not to joke around, not going well with the top-level management.
These were small errors there were too big mistakes, The Bayern boss made. First was not signing any defensive cover for the exposed defensive line the only weak link in the squad, letting Martin Demichelis and Mark van Bommel leave but not getting in enough cover, Bayern Munich were the better team in last season’s Champions League final. Defensive mistakes cost them their title, after a tiring world cup, Bayern management persuaded him to spend in the transfer market. Van Gaal was too stubborn not too, bringing in the outstandingly awesome performer namesake Luis Gustavo to Bayern but being played out of position at Left Back in favor of his signings, Danijel Pranjic ahead of Toni Kroos. Stubbornness cost him the German Bundesliga title and perhaps his job. Other mistake he made was constant feuds with Bayern supreme Uli Hoeness. No one minces words with the man who has been there doing that for the last 30 years.
Bayern have announced that Louis van Gaal will remain till the end of the season, with his extension being terminated with mutual consent. Replacing Louis van Gaal is going to be one of the toughest tasks in football, but maybe he would win the Champions league, the dream trophy for his dream club as a parting gift? If he wins it will he stay?
Like I always say, time will tell. Stay tuned.
Tags: Champions League, DFB Pokal, Football, Hannover, Heinz Rummenigge, Louis van Gaal, Schalke
