10 Things Man Utd Want You To Forget About Louis Van Gaal
5. He Endured A 10-Year Trophy Drought In His Career
Manchester United were spoiled with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge, as success was continual all through his tenure with the club. Many will have forgotten their new manager Louis Van Gaal endured the most barren spell of his entire managerial career through, going a decade without adding to his trophy cabinet. The Dutchman had failed spells with Netherlands (2000-2002), Barcelona (2002-2003) and at Ajax (2004). He joined AZ Alkmaar in 2005, but went the first three seasons without winning a trophy. Van Gaal threatened to leave the club at the end of the 2007/08 campaign after suffering poor results with AZ, but he was convinced to stay for at least another season with the Dutch outfit, and it paid dividends. AZ sealed the league title in 2008/09, ending a ten-year wait for Van Gaal to win a trophy. The 63-year-olds trophy drought is something not many successful managers have had to endure, and it highlights the contrasts that occur all through his chequered career. Manchester United supporters and pundits alike are convinced Van Gaal will lead the Red Devils to a league title during his time in England, but hes proven he doesnt always get things right with clubs, so success at United is far from a guarantee.
Crippy Cooke, 23, is a freelance Football Writer contributing to What Culture. He's had work featured on Zoo, MSN, London 24, The Telegraph, The Huffington Post, and was recently named Writer of the Year on FTBpro - while also a nominee for Best Male Blog in the Football Blogging Awards.
