Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov calls Louis van Gaal 'scum'

Hristo Stoichkov has blamed Louis van Gaal for his exit from Barcelona

Legendary Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov has lashed out against current Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, calling him ‘scum’.

The Bulgarian had two separate spells at Nou Camp, one between 1990 and 1995, where he played 149 games and scored 77 goals and another tenure between 1996 and 1998, when he played 26 matches and scored 7 goals.

Van Gaal managed Barcelona for a period of 3 years between 1997 and 2000, during which he won two League titles, one Copa del Rey and a UEFA Super Cup as well.

Speaking to the French daily L'Equipe, the 49-year-old recalled an incident during his time with the Catalan giants and added that the 63-year-old was the main reason for him leaving Barcelona in 1998.

Left Barcelona because of Van Gaal: Stoichkov

"I have no respect for [Van Gaal] - he's scum. One day, when I was injured, I was with my wife at Camp Nou and Van Gaal went up to her. He asked her how it was possible that she married someone like me. She responded that I was a Ballon d'Or winner,” he said.

"My departure in 1998 was the fault of Van Gaal, for sure,” he added.