Days after winning the FA cup with United LVG had achieved the distinction of having won the domestic cup in four countries as a manager, some accomplishment for the 64 years Dutch but the success was short lived following the Saturday triumph the news came on Monday that it was his time at the club, fans have been vocal about the “Boring” football under LVG, as well as senior players complain finally led Ed Woodward to fire him.
In the past 3 years since Sir Alex Fergusson retirement both his subsequent successors have had to face the axe.
David Moyes his apparent successor was fired before the completion of the season, Van Gaal managed to stay for 2 years. The firing has evoked some mixed feelings among the fans. They are happy that its end of torturous matches, but they are equally circumspect of the future.
The Loyalists
Some feel that LVG would have been able to achieve success and should have been given time. There is a voice which says that in firing managers United is losing its tradition, it is a club which builds on the shoulder of a manager who is given time to express himself but what has happened in the last 3 seasons has hardly been the case.
Van Gaal can be credited for giving chance to young players, 14 in a single season and he would have built a strong foundation for future, so he should have been given more chances and especially he had just won you a trophy first in three years and he has a track record of success.
For a club under doing transition too much hiring and firing may not be a good proponent. Fans will be fans though they are important but they need to understand that every club goes through these moments and it’s time to rebuild and that takes time. Patience would have been the key.
The Vocalists
The other side is that he should have never been hired, for he broke the very backbone of traditional attacking football which United has been so famous for. His transfer policies were disastrous and the opportunity he gave to young players was more out of compulsion rather than choice for he had a trimmed squad with injury problems.
Add to this a finish outside the Champions league position, one of the worst win records and goal scoring record in the history of the club made matters worse for him.
He lost nearly all must win games be it the match against Wolfsburg in Champions League, or Liverpool in Europa, or West ham in premier league.
He has in fact spent over 250 million pounds in 2 seasons but still has nothing to show on the ground.His dictatorial style of managing players and his treatment of big summer signings Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay this season had hurt the prospects of United in the transfer market. His antics in media and his reserve attitude on the bench did not win him fans either. If insiders reports of players are to believe regarding how he managed them, how he tracked their mails, how his relationship with Assistant Manager Ryan Giggs was it seems only apt that he has been fired. For some people David Moyes was in fact a better manager than LVG.
The Future
As things stand in all likelihood the new manager will be Jose Mourinho, a man who previously worked under LVG at Barcelona at the start of his career before becoming the Special One.
A manager whose records speak for himself but this time he will be under immense pressure to deliver the good, for its his reputation to deliver the titles that have made United’ first choice even after the baggage he carries.
And his last season with Chelsea makes everyone skeptic. He not only has to deliver success but also play a style of football which is appeasing to the eye. With a host of top managers in Premier League this season, Mourinho job is not going to be easy. Will he be able to stay and establish a legacy of face the axe remains to be seen.