Louis van Gaal appointed as Manchester United boss

Dutch boss Louis van Gaal was finally announced as the new Manchester United boss on Monday

After weeks of speculation linking Louis van Gaal with a move to Manchester United, the Dutch boss has now finally been announced as David Moyes successor at Old Trafford.

The 62-year-old has signed a three-year-deal at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal will take over at United once he has finished coaching the Holland national team at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

With Holland expected to do well in Brazil the veteran is unlikely to take over until early July.

Assistant

Former-interim boss Ryan Giggs has been named as Van Gaal’s number two. The Welshman has decided to retire from playing after 963 games for the Red Devils and concentrate on his coaching career.

The 40-year-old will offer the club some continuity with Van Gaal new to the country and the Premier League. The veteran Dutchman should prove a good mentor for Giggs and his experience can only help Giggs development as a coach.

Biggest Club

Louis van Gaal confirmed his appointment by telling the clubs official website: “It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League. To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud!

“I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I’m sure we will make history.”

Experienced

Louis van Gaal is the one of the most high-profile bosses in European football. The 62-year-old has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, with the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich on his CV.

Not only has he managed those clubs, but he has been successful at those clubs, winning titles at all three of those three iconic European clubs. Van Gaal’s list of honours is impressive and the Dutchman is a real winner.

Strong

Van Gaal has a big personality and ego, but that is what has made him successful. He will not stand for any player ill-discipline and he is the sort of boss United now need. Former-boss Moyes always seemed to be a strong character, but you get the sense he never really had control of the dressing room.

Van Gaal will not have that problem at United. He has dealt with big stars in the past and will not be star struck, something which Moyes seemed at United. The experienced Dutch boss is not scared of upsetting players and shaking things up.

The way that Manchester United performed last season, Van Gaal is the sort of boss that is needed to come in and make sure last season’s poor performance is a one-off. It is vital that the Red Devils do not experience a repeat of last season.

The Holland boss commands the respect of players, which Moyes seemed to struggle with at Old Trafford, despite arriving at the club with a reputation as quite a strong character.

Difficult

Van Gaal will need all of his managerial experience at Old Trafford, as there are a number of issues that need to be sorted out. This summer will certainly be a big one in the transfer market. Moyes was ponderous in the transfer market in his two windows at United, just as he was at Everton with a smaller budget.

United’s defence needs majorly strengthening after centre-back Nemanja Vidic agreed to join Italian giants Internazionale and Rio Ferdinand decided to leave the club this summer when his United contract ends.

First choice left-back Patrice Evra is also out-of-contract and could also leave the club. That means that Van Gaal may need to bring in three defenders. There are still doubts over likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

All three have yet to prove that they are good enough for United. I am sure Van Gaal will have players in mind that he would like to sign this summer and not just in defence.

One of the other issues that affected United last season was finding a way of accommodating all of United’s attacking talents. United seem to have a surplus of number tens, but a complete lack of central midfield talent.

It may be best for the team if one of those players leaves this summer. The likes of Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa have previously been linked with an exit and it looks unlikely that Mata will be leaving after less than six months at the club.

However, with Rooney having previously played in the centre of midfield, maybe moving the England international into central midfield on a more regular basis could prove an alternative to selling players.

Right Choice

Louis van Gaal currently looks like the right choice for United. The Dutchman’s appointment is definitely a more exciting one than that of Moyes last summer. However, United fans cannot expect instant results, as Van Gaal usually takes time to instil his ideas on his players.

The veteran is not an instant fix. United’s target next season must be a top-four finish, which they are odds of 4/7 to achieve. Van Gaal will provide a fresh impetus and undoubtedly bring in a host of new players.

The appointment of Louis van Gaal does not guarantee that United will be successful next season, but I would suggest that United now have a better chance of being successful with the veteran Dutchman in the hot seat.

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