2016/2017 campaign will be Dutchman’s last at Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that he will leave the club after the 2016/2017 campaign and is hoping to leave a long-lasting legacy at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman came in to replace David Moyes after the Scot failed to take over the reigns from Sir Alex Ferguson, and immediately brought Champions League football back to United.
Van Gaal guided the club to a fourth placed finish last year and then guided them through the qualifying stages after beating Club Brugge over two-legs.
The 64-year-old was talking about his future, and he confirmed that he has no intentions of extending his stay at the club no matter what happens from now until then.
Van Gaal’s Future
Van Gaal admitted: “It would be difficult for me to see this team reach its potential because that would mean I would have to stay.
“You have seen what I have said about that – and I always do the things that I have said.
“At Barcelona there was Xavi captain, Andres Iniesta captain, Victor Valdes, for 10 years the backbone of the club and the culture.
“In Munich now there is Thomas Muller,David Alaba, Holger Badstuber. It is the same. Bastian Schweinsteiger is now out but the other three are the guards of the culture.
“Maybe when I am gone Luke Shaw shall the guard of the culture. Or Adnan Januzaj or Anthony Martial, but he has to speak first the language!
“At Manchester United we have a culture to play with young players. It is important for us to educate young players in that culture. We have seen the Class of ’92, for example.
“Of course, it depends on the quality of the young players, but still we have that culture and we have to continue with it.
“When you see how we play, with Shaw, who is 20, with Memphis who is 21, and Martial, who is 19, then you see that we are continuing with the culture of Manchester United.
“I am a trainer-coach who believes in youth. I believe I have a very good eye for young talent. Of course, it is easier to buy the big stars but also the big stars can fail, and that we have seen last year.
“And that is why I have always said you have to invest in young players. Ok, then I know they are not ready yet, that is why I have said already. It’s more for my successor than for myself.”
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Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
