Pep and Enrique under Van Gaal

Last weekend, Louis van Gaal responded to speculation linking Ajax coach Erik ten Hag to the job at Old Trafford: “I wouldn’t advise Erik, he’ll call me himself. But he has to choose a club. football not a commercial club Erik ten Hag is a great manager and that’s always good for Manchester United but Manchester United is a commercial club so it’s a tough choice for a manager. He should go to a football club.”

 Van Gaal has 2 years working at MU

Ten Hag has been considered for a job at United. However, unlike before, now the Red Devils are the right to prove themselves as a place worth a quality coach to work. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013, United have won only three significant trophies – and none of them the Premier League or the Champions League.

Van Gaal may have been through the best period of his career, but his advice will still be valued as the best Dutch manager alive. The 70-year-old leader’s trophy cabinet includes La Liga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie and Champions League. He also had a bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup. At United, despite being considered a failure, Van Gaal also led the team back to the Champions League and won their first post-Ferguson title – the FA Cup in 2016. .

 Van Gaal left MU in an unexpected way.

Van Gaal is a respected figure at United. But shortly after lifting the FA Cup at Wembley, he was sacked. Everyone knew this in advance and Louis didn’t. It was arguably the worst last-minute secrecy in football, when United chief executive Ed Woodward named Jose Mourinho as his replacement. The old Dutch coach was surprised and many years later still angry with the way of the former MU executive

And now, 6 years on, the way that a harsh farewell with Van Gaal can impact back on MU Ten Hag will listen to the legendary senior’s criticism of the Premier League team. United will have to hope that he and any other potential candidates will not be swayed by Van Gaal’s advice.