“
Like my players at the time, my wife also has the right to live with Louis van Gaal
”.
In 2019, the Dutch technician spoke about him in the 3rd person to formalize his retirement.
A short respite since the former FC Barcelona coach honors his third term at the head of the Netherlands since last August.
A typically Dutch specialty to trust their former coaches, evidenced by the multiple passages of Rinus Michels and Dick Advocaat on the bench of the Batavians.
For his comeback to the post of coach, Louis van Gaal leaves no one indifferent, whether on or off the pitch.
To discover
Qualifying rankings for the 2022 World Cup
The 2022 World Cup qualifying calendar
Ambitions .. and a straight talk à la van Gaal
After a successful stint with the Dutch selection between 2012 and 2014, crowned with a beautiful third place at the 2014 World Cup, Louis Van Gaal returned by popular demand. Following the poor performance of the Dutch at Euro 2020, eliminated in the round of 16 against the Czech Republic, Dutch supporters and influential media mobilized to convince the Federation to recall it. As soon as he arrived, the former FC Barcelona coach made an impression. “
I think that if I had been in the place of the Dutch Federation, I would have asked for it. Who else could have taken on this managerial post?
"
A fanfare introduction that fits perfectly with the particular character of the Dutch technician.
After having openly castigated the players of the selection during the Euro, comparing them to "
a band of glorified stars who did nothing
" Louis van Gaal made Louis van Gaal at a press conference by loudly displaying his ambitions at the head of the Batavians.
“
My personal goal is to become world champion and I want to pass it on to my players.
(…) I'm not doing it for myself but I'm doing it to help Dutch football.
I have always done everything to help Dutch football.
"
An introduction that has the merit of setting the tone and spilling ink within the various sports editorial staff. Praised by the Dutch public for his first successful steps, Louis van Gaal has more difficulties with the media, especially when it directly concerns his tactical choices. Asked about the use of a system with five defenders, the main interested party did not mince words to answer a journalist's questions.
"
I'm sorry to tell you, but you're just a journalist, and you want to talk about your vision, but in football you don't have any vision, in my opinion.
For the newspaper yes, but not for football.
In 5-3-2 or 5-2-3, you can attack in an incredible way and Chelsea consistently prove it with different teams.
If van Gaal hosts the press conferences, his team has also performed on the green rectangle since his induction.
Attacking and spectacular football
A fine tactician, Louis van Gaal was a major influence for many renowned coaches like Pep Guardiola.
Defender of a football turned towards the offensive, the Dutchman did not miss his return with the Dutch selection.
Four wins and one draw to the credit of the former Manchester United coach.
In the space of five games, Frenkie De Jong's teammates have found the net 18 times and conceded only 3 goals.
The offensive recital offered against Turkey (6-1) perfectly illustrates the potential of the Dutch selection.
First in group G, with the best attack and defense in the group, the Netherlands can validate their ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the event of a success against Montenegro this Saturday and a poor performance of the Norwegians against Latvia .
It would be a first posed on the path taken by van Gaal in his quest to triumph at the World Cup.
An objective that will be strongly linked to the performance of its major player, Memphis Depay.
Reunion with Memphis Depay
In 2013, during his second stint at the head of the Batavians, Louis van Gaal called on Memphis Depay for the qualifications for the 2014 World Cup. A few months later, the young prodigy of the PSV pulled out of the game at the World Cup , being one of the nominees for the title of best young player of the competition, finally awarded to Paul Pogba. In the process, Depay is transferred to Manchester United, the new club of a certain .. Louis van Gaal. A missed experience for the player who rebounds in Lyon. The coach is fired after two seasons, and announces the end of his career in 2019. Contrasting adventures that allow them to better find themselves today. Under the leadership of Louis van Gaal, Memphis Depay is in Olympic form with the Oranje.
Top scorer in European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup with nine goals, the Dutch number 10 is also the decisive top passer with six offerings.
Author of 7 goals since the arrival of the former Barça technician, Depay is the keystone of the Van Gaal system.
A 27-year-old, mature player, author of high-level performances that seduce his coach.
“
Memphis was the best player (against Montenegro), regardless of the distance he covered, which was 11 kilometers I believe.
Few forwards do it
”.
This Saturday, the striker who exceeded the goalscoring record (35 against 33) of Johan Cruyff in the selection will want to put his team into orbit by guiding his family to a victory against Montenegro.
