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The panel defends Woodward and insists that Van Gaal’s firing was driven by the results; Dutch named as the least successful post-Ferguson
Last update: 10/05/20 1:00 pm
Ed Woodward was to blame for sanctioning Louis van Gaal’s signing at Manchester United, not firing the Dutchman, Mark Ogden told the Sunday supplement.
Van Gaal launched a new attack on United’s executive vice president, calling Woodward “an evil genius” who “had his head in a knot for six months” before firing him.
Van Gaal was relieved of his duties and replaced by José Mourinho within days of guiding United to victory in the 2016 FA Cup final, a decision Ogden believes was inevitable in light of the Dutchman’s record.
“Louis has always been very bitter about the way he ended up at Manchester United.” ESPNThe senior soccer writer said Sky Sports.
“But let’s be honest, for the last six months it was inevitable that he would be fired because the results were not good enough.”
The hardest part was trying to survive as Man Utd manager when I had my head in a knot for six months. He had faced resistance internally at other clubs before, but that was nothing compared to what he had to endure at Man Utd.
Louis van Gaal
“Towards the end, the players were telling us that they could no longer play for him because he was too dominant in training camp, it was impossible to play and it has taken all his freedom.”
“It’s easy to blame Ed Woodward, but the only thing he did for what he deserves is to give Van Gaal the money to sign Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Angel di Maria, the list goes on.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reveals Angel di Maria’s signature
“Van Gaal’s signing was terrible, his football was horrible and the results were bad, so I don’t think he is to blame for anyone but himself.”
Contrary to Van Gaal’s accusations, Ogden argues that it was Woodward’s prerogative as president to plan for the future and ultimately wield the ax.
He added: “Ed Woodward would not be doing his job if he did not plan ahead for the next manager when the current guy was obviously failing.”
The least successful post-Fergie date?
Louis van Gaal was appointed permanent successor to David Moyes in 2014
Paul Hayward, editor-in-chief of sports at the Daily telegraphHe claimed that the legacy of Van Gaal’s unfortunate spell at Old Trafford is still felt to this day and is ranked as the worst administrative appointment Manchester United made in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
“It is an open secret that Manchester United thought they had lost control of their transfer budget, money and staff when Van Gaal was there,” Hayward said.
“They gave him too much freedom to buy players who were not good, didn’t fit the plan, and left this Van Gaal transfer mess for later managers to handle.”
“Of all the managers they have had since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United almost feels that Van Gaal was the least successful because he caused so much damage to the team itself. I think that is where the bad feelings come from.”
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