Rafa Benitez sympathises with Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal’s complaints

Rafa Benitez has sympathised with Manchester United and Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal, after the Dutchman complained about the dug-outs in Brazil this summer.

Van Gaal is currently in charge of the Netherlands as they continued their fine World Cup form with a 3-2 win over Australia. The Oranje battered Spain in their opening game 5-1 and the win over Australia made it two out of two – six points out of six.

However, van Gaal recently complained that he could not see much of the game play from his dug-outs in a number of the stadiums.

Benitez believes the Dutchman has a right to feel aggrieved with the set-up, however, he must adapt according to the Spaniard and Benitez admits he had the same issue during his time at Valencia, with some camera man frustrating the former Liverpool boss.

Benitez told The Independent: “I was interested to read about the latest controversial World Cup aspect – the depth of the dug-out. It was interesting to see that Van Gaal felt that the dug-out below pitch level in Porto Alegre meant he would not see enough of the players against Australia, with the cameras in front of him causing problems as well.

“I have known a lot of those low dug-outs myself and it certainly is easier when it is higher. A few of the ones I have known at pitch level were Valencia – which I knew very well by the time I left that club – and Atletico Madrid was another.

“It’s not the best position but it is one of the facts of life as a coach. It can make you crazy when the work of the cameras gets in your way and it seems like the pictures for the TV seem to matter more than your work, managing the progress of the game. But it is a fact of life in the job. You just have to adapt.”