Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal went on the offensive on Thursday, defending his techniques, popularity and previous historical past as he sparred with reporters in one other bellicose efficiency forward of his nation’s FIFA World Cup quarterfinal towards Argentina.
At a news convention on the eve of the final eight conflict, the veteran coach continued his long-running spat with Dutch journalists, important of his techniques on the World Cup in Qatar and fast to impress the 71-year-old.
Van Gaal’s determination to desert the standard Dutch attacking method and make use of a counter-attack technique has put a lot of his compatriots’ backs up however he continued to insist he had the most effective techniques to win a World Cup.
“I get the same question from you every time but you don’t understand that football is evolving,” he stated in a tone of exasperation when requested whether or not he most popular teaching the previous Dutch approach, as he did earlier in his profession, or the extra pragmatic counter-attacking, result-orientated method he now employs.
“It’s a lot harder now to play attacking football than it was 20 years ago when I was coach of Ajax. When I came up with that more defensive system in 2014 (at the World Cup in Brazil), I also received a lot of criticism but now half the world plays like that. Football has evolved towards it.
“At this World Cup we see that the results are very tight, even between big teams and supposedly smaller countries, because compact defending is simply easier than attacking. But it’s not true if it seems we are only defending. I hope that is clear now.”
Van Gaal’s exchanges with the Dutch media combine acidic irritation with efforts at slicing humour, plus more and more a refusal to reply questions he feels are meant to goad him.
“Brazil does almost the same as the Dutch national team,” Van Gaal continued.
“They have great technical players and sometimes they run away with the result, but other times they can be mediocre and unattractive. But that does not mean Brazil aren’t performing here, I’ve said before, Brazil are the top favourites in my eyes. We are also a country that has a chance to become world champions because I hope we are the best team.”
WORST COACH
He additionally defended himself from feedback made by Angel di Maria, who performed below Van Gaal at Manchester United and will function for Argentina on Friday. Di Maria labelled Van Gaal the worst coach he had labored with.
“Angel Di Maria is a very good footballer who, when he played at Manchester (United), had a lot of problems in his private life, including having his house broken into. That influenced his form in that year. Calling me the worst coach? He’s one of very few players who’ve said that. Mostly it is the opposite,” he stated.
Van Gaal is ready to retire after the World Cup however stated he may be tempted to work somewhat longer if the precise problem got here alongside.
“You can never say never. But I am 71 now … but I still look like a God!” he concluded, bursting into laughter earlier than exiting the stage.