Wayne Rooney names Louis van Gaal ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson as the best manager he's worked with
The Dutch manager was not popular with Manchester United fans during his two seasons at Old Trafford
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Your support makes all the difference.Wayne Rooney has worked with some of the best managers in football, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho lead a star-studded list, but he revealed one of Manchester United’s most unpopular managers is the best coach he has worked with.
The United player of 13 years revealed that Louis van Gaal is “one hundred per cent” the best manager he has played for.
Van Gaal was hounded out of Old Trafford by disgruntled fans after two seasons of dull football after spending vast sums of money on players that soon left the club after failing to make an impact.
“Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with - one hundred per cent," he said.
"His tactical skills, his way of preparing and his attention to the finest of details, I found amazing. I admired that in him. I had never looked at stuff like that before.”
“Van Gaal knows that the way he works is tough for players. I made him aware of that at the time and we talked about this very well together.
The experienced Dutch manager left the club after winning the FA Cup in 2016, United’s first major trophy since Ferguson left the club in 2013.
“I regret how it all ended, yet I know one thing for sure - I have learnt a lot from him and I am definitely going to use those lessons for when I am a manager,” added Rooney.
The 33-year-old is still playing in the MLS for D.C. United but is using some of his spare time to start studying for his coaching badges and may look to Van Gaal for inspiration as he looks to begin his coaching career.
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, Rangers and soon-to-be Chelsea manager respectively, have both enjoyed successful starts to their coaching careers and Rooney hopes this shows he can enjoy a prosperous career in the dugout, not that he’s ready to hang up his boots just yet.
“It is great to see that Frank and Steve have been given these chances at big clubs,” Rooney said, “that gives me hope too because I do think about these things.
“But for the time being, I am enjoying my life as footballer. I want to win more trophies.
“Physically, I feel good and I am still ambitious. But once my career is over, I am going to consider all the options.”
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