Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal, seen at half-time during their English FA Cup quarter-final match against West Ham United, at Old Trafford in Manchester, on March 13, 2016. PHOTO/FILE
MANCHESTER, April 3 – Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal claims he is unaffected by media speculation as rumours persist that he will be replaced by Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal reckons he’s one of the best managers in the world, and if the media were correct about his future, he would have been sacked months ago.
“I can cope with it when the media is writing for six months I am sacked already. It is not new for me,” the Dutchman said at United’s awards evening.
“For my players, it is not so easy. They are reading it every day. How do you think that affects my authority? What do you think about the way they want to follow my advice, when their coach is portrayed like a nobody because I cannot do anything?
“But I am not like that. I am very arrogant. I am one of the best managers of the world.”
The Red Devils booked a place in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace after their 2-1 victory over Everton last month, while they currently trail fourth-placed Manchester City by four points and with a game in hand on their neighbours – and Van Gaal feels his side deserves praise.
“We have to meet the expectations of the biggest club in the world. Expectations are too high,” he said.
“We are in a period of transition. It is not so easy. We’re still in a position to qualify [for the Champions League], and we’re in the final of the FA Cup.
“We’ve fought back many times [this season], so you can applaud the players, because they’ve done it. I came to England to win a trophy, but first we have to qualify for the Champions League.”
