Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal delivered a 5 minute monologue aimed at journalists in his pre-Stoke City press conference. The Dutchman then took his leave, walking out of the press conference without discussing the match against Stoke.
Louis van Gaal has some justification to be displeased, as Twitter erupted with the fake ‘news’ of his sacking last night. The Dutchman feels quite wronged by the media, who have speculated incessantly about his future with good reason, given United’s poor run of form and the availability of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
Taking the microphone as soon as he was seated, Van Gaal was typically forthright, saying, “Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That's what I am wondering. I think I was already sacked I have read. Or have been sacked. Or that my colleague [Jose Mourinho] was here already.”
“What do you think that happens with my wife or with my kids? Or with my grandchildren? Or with the fans of Manchester United? Or with my friends? What do you think? They have called me, a lot of times, and also Arsene Wenger is saying something about that.”
Arsene Wenger recently came out in support of the Dutchman, terming the manner in which the press were treating a man of Louis van Gaal’s stature and record, ‘disrespectful’.
Only here to fulfill responsibilities
Louis van Gaal has usually had very warm relationships with the journalists covering the previous leagues he has worked with. The Dutchman’s humour and straight-forwardness mean that the press usually take a liking to him, with him reciprocationg. However, Van Gaal was quite clear about his relationship with the members of England’s Fleet street, saying, “Do you think I want to talk with the media now?”
“I am here only because of the Premier League rules. I have to talk with you. But I can only see that when I talk to you that you put it in your context. I have tried to lift the confidence of my players. I have done everything this week.”
“I have held meetings, evaluation meetings with the players, with members of staff, I have held a Christmas lunch, I gave a speech and I feel the warmth and the the support of everybody at Carrington, this AON Training Complex.”
“But I didn't feel that [warmth] in the media. I can imagine that you can write about that subject.
“We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were in first place and in about four weeks we can again be in that position again. You have to stick by the facts and when I get calls from Ed Woodward, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, because you are creating something that is not good, that is not being the facts, and now I have to answer questions. I don't think I want to do it.
“I am focused on Stoke City. I wish you a merry Christmas I wish you a Merry Christmas and also maybe a Happy New Year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and a mince pies,” the Dutchman signed off, with a view to set right United’s stuttering season.
