“I am deeply grateful to each and every member of the club’s staff – the sports science team, the medical team, the kit and laundry department, club administration, the press office, the manager’s team, the Academy team, ground staff and the catering team, both at Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground, all of whom have given me their unwavering support in my time at United”.
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Van Gaal led Man United to fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the Premier League respectively in his two years with the club.
Van Gaal has also released a statement, which is longer and actually quite sweet.
United finally confirmed Van Gaal’s departure at 8.30pm with a statement from Woodward.
Ryan Giggs, a legendary former Manchester United player and van Gaal’s assistant manager, could leave the club in the wake of Mourinho’s arrival.
The Dutchman cryptically commented, “It’s over” as he left the squad’s London hotel on Sunday, but it was not clear whether he was referring to his tenure or United’s season.
“I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club’s history”, said Van Gaal.
An important transitory point in the club’s post-Ferguson era this may be, but there was little doubt that a change was required once Van Gaal began speaking about unrealistic ambitions.
Despite being subject to chants of “attack, attack, attack” at Old Trafford this season and being booed by supporters when lifting the FA Cup trophy at Wembley, Van Gaal added: “I would also like to express my gratitude to the incredible United supporters”.
Mr. van Gaal employed similarly bold tactics at Manchester United; he often played players out of position and made bold calls that did not always sit well with fans.
Van Gaal has also spent heavily since replacing Moyes in 2014, splashing out more than £250 million ($361 million) on players.
3 – United finished third in their Champions League group this season to drop into the Europa League, where they reached the last 16 before losing to rivals – and eventual finalists – Liverpool. Certainly his brand of football won’t be missed by the regulars at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal’s turn of phrase in news conferences and TV interviews often drew sniggers and laughs, notably last month when he said that a hair-pulling incident during a United-Leicester match was only acceptable in “sex masochism”.
“That’s part of playing for Manchester United and managing Manchester United – it is a massive club”.
“You have to set standards and we fell below them this season”.
Whether a new manager, like a Mourinho, can now take the club back to its former glory remains to be seen.
“When he goes to a club, normally he wins a big trophy within the first couple of years”, Wilkins told talkSPORT radio.
While Van Gaal was regarded as “hard work” by many of his players, he was a popular figure with numerous club’s staff who personally wished him well during his final day at Carrington.
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Some of them might have been forced on him because of injuries – striker Marcus Rashford springs to mind – but he hasn’t been afraid to use young players and decided against more splurges in the transfer market in the January windows, instead keeping faith in youth often in tough times.
