7 Things you didn't know about new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

Manhester Uniteds new manager Louis van Gaal is probably more famous for his incredulous quotes, his turbulent relationship with the media and his antics including the infamous pants dropping incident at Bayern Munich,but no one can argue that the man is a footballing genius with his Total Football style of play and no nonsense attitude.Here are a few facts that you probably didnt know about the fiery Dutchman and his glittering career.

#1 He mentored Jose Mourinho

When van Gaal first started coaching at Barcelona in 1997, he worked with a young Portuguese assistant named Jose Mourinho. Mourinho is now probably more famous than Van Gaal is and the current Chelsea manager was delighted to welcome his old mentor to the Premier League saying “"He is a great football manager and I am happy he joins me in the same country and the Premier League, but more important than that, he’s a great guy, a great man and I wish him good.”

#2 He had an unbeaten season with Ajax 10 years before Arsenal

Van Gaal managed Ajax’s Golden Generation from 1991-1997 winning 3 domestic titles, a UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Champions League. His most successful season was in 1994-1995 when he led Ajax to an unbeaten season in both the domestic league, Eredevise and the Champions League winning both and then completing the treble by winning the UEFA Super Cup.

He was so succesful at Ajax that at the end of his contract in 1997, he was knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

#3 Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Seedorf all made their debuts under him

If there’s one thing that Van Gaal believes in, it is youth. Some of the best midfielders of the current generation were all given debuts under Van Gaal. Barcelona stars Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Ajax legends Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert all started playing under Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal also called up Arjen Robben for his debut in the Netherlands U-20 squad and brought him to Bayern Munich in 2009. Manchester United youngsters such as Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson will thrive under his managerial leadership.

#4 He has won the league title in Spain, Holland and Germany

Louis Van Gaal is one of few managers to win trophies in 3 different countries. He has won the domestic title atleast once for every team he has managed winning the Dutch domestic competition, Eredivise thrice with Ajax, the La Liga in Spain twice with Barcelona and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in Germany.

He has won a total of 19 trophies in his managerial career and been named Manager of the Year at both Ajax and Bayern Munich. He is also the only Dutch coach to win the German Bundesliga.

#5 He is a certified gymnastics teacher

Probably not something you’d expect Van Gaal to ever do but it’s true. Van Gaal is a fully qualified Gymnastics teacher and coached at various high schools during his playing career. His famous karate kick in the 1995 Champions League final against AC Milan should br evidence enough of his gymnastics knowledge.

#6 He played for 15 years before managing

Louis van Gaal started his playing career as a midfielder at Amsterdam amateur side RKSV “De Meer”. He later joined Ajax’s B team but never played for their first team. He went to play for Belgian side, Royal Antwerp who were runners up in Belgian domestic league twice. He then returned to the Netherlands and made his Eredivisie debut for Telstar and then moved to Sparta Rotterdam. After a short career at AZ Alkmaar, he retired in 1987 and soon became their assisatant coach.

#7 He has failed as a Barcelona manager twice

Louis van Gaal first joined Barcelona in 1997 after a glorious career at Ajax. He started off well winning the La Liga and Copa Del Rey in his first season, he managed to retain the La Liga the next season but after a feud with Brazilian star Rivaldo and heavy crticism for his managerial antics and bad relationship with the media, he deaprted in 2000.

He returned to Barcelona in 2002 but fared worse than his first stint at the club. Barcelona failed to win against teams at the bottom of the table and were only 5 points off the relegation zone when van Gaal was fired after only half a season at the club.