Louis van Gaal has mounted a staunch defence of his management style, insisting: “I am not a dictator – I am a communicator.”
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After accusations of rifts and a player mutiny in some quarters, Van Gaal came out fighting at his press conference at Carrington on the eve of Manchester United’s home game against Liverpool.
The 64-year-old admitted Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick came to him after the opening match of the season against Tottenham to air their concerns. The captain and vice-captain had become worried about morale within the squad.
“Rooney and Michael Carrick came to me and said: ‘The dressing room is flat’,’’ the Dutchman said.
Van Gaal was irked by the fact the story had leaked to the media. But there was no anger towards the players. In fact, the manager was happy his two most senior professionals approached him.
“It’s a positive thing that the players are coming to me and not only Carrick or Rooney, other players,” he said. “But now it was Carrick and Rooney and that was alarming for me because they are the captains. That’s why I went to the dressing room. But all the players are communicating with me. They are coming to my office. Believe me, it is like that. I am not a dictator – I am a communicator.
“I have changed the way that I say the game-plan to them, for example. Now I ask in advance and they can say what they want. After that the atmosphere was much better and after that we won again.”
To press home the idea that he retained the full support of his players, Van Gaal banged a fist into his palm midway through the press conference, and recited a song heard on the United terraces.
“The fans are shouting every week ‘Louis van Gaal’s army! Louis van Gaal’s army!’. They are very satisfied with Louis van Gaal and the players are also satisfied with me.’’
With the number of incomings and outgoings at the club this summer, Van Gaal always felt there would be a couple of bumps in the road when it came to his players adapting to his management style.
“I can say only that I have a very good relationship with my players, but it is logical now that only nine are left from the initial group,’’ he added. “The others I have bought will not say I am a lousy manager.’’
