Louis van Gaal: ‘The Worst Coach I Ever Had,’ Says Ex-Man United Star Angel Di Maria.
Former Manchester United forward and Argentine football star Angel Di Maria has once again criticized his former coach, Louis van Gaal, labeling him as the “worst” manager he ever worked under. Di Maria, who had a brief but troubled stint at Manchester United, made his feelings clear in multiple interviews and even in a recent Netflix documentary. His comments continue to spark conversation, particularly about his turbulent time at Old Trafford.
Angel Di Maria’s Manchester United Struggles
Angel Di Maria joined Manchester United in the summer of 2014 after a highly successful run with Real Madrid, where he had just won the UEFA Champions League. The Red Devils splashed out a then-British record fee of £59.7 million to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford, with hopes that he would spark the team’s resurgence under new manager Louis van Gaal.
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Despite the optimism surrounding his arrival, Di Maria’s time at Manchester United was far from successful. He struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, scoring only four goals in 32 appearances during the 2014-15 season. His performances were often criticized, and it became clear that Di Maria was not living up to the high expectations placed upon him. His time at United lasted only a year before he made a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2015.
Di Maria’s Harsh Criticism of Louis van Gaal
In a recent interview with ESPN Argentina, Di Maria did not hold back when asked about his time at Manchester United, particularly under the management of Louis van Gaal. The Argentine forward openly expressed his disdain for the Dutch coach, calling him the “worst” manager he has ever worked with in his career.
“The worst [manager] is Van Gaal, you can be sure of that. In case you had any doubt, I’ll clear that up for you right now,” Di Maria said in the interview. These comments echoed his earlier sentiments about the difficulties he faced during his time at Old Trafford, which he has repeatedly blamed on Van Gaal’s managerial approach.
The Netflix Documentary: “Breaking Down the Wall”
Di Maria’s criticism of Van Gaal was also featured in his Netflix documentary titled Breaking Down the Wall, where the Argentine star once again took aim at his former manager. In the documentary, Di Maria revisits the challenging period in his career when he was under Van Gaal’s leadership.
Di Maria didn’t mince words as he recalled his experiences, even referencing their latest encounter at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The two met once again during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Van Gaal’s Netherlands team. In a dramatic contest that ended 2-2, Argentina emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, knocking out Van Gaal’s side.
In a moment of reflection, Di Maria held a replica of the World Cup trophy and said, “Louis van Gaal is the worst coach I’ve ever had, and I will never get tired of saying that. We beat them with penalties even though he said we wouldn’t, because he knew everything. He ended up shoving his words in his… well, let’s just say he ate his words, to keep it polite.”
Van Gaal’s Response to Di Maria’s Criticism
Louis van Gaal has not stayed silent in the face of Di Maria’s repeated criticism. In an interview with BBC Sport back in 2019, the Dutchman addressed the Argentine’s struggles at Manchester United and his failure to live up to the high expectations. Van Gaal defended his approach, claiming that he gave Di Maria numerous opportunities to prove himself in various attacking roles.
“Di Maria says it was my problem. I played him in every attacking position. You can check that. He never convinced me in any of those positions,” Van Gaal said during the interview. He went on to suggest that Di Maria’s main challenge was coping with the physical demands and constant pressure of playing in the Premier League. “He could not deal with the continuous pressure on the ball in the Premier League. That was his problem.”
The Root of the Tension: A Clash of Styles?
The tension between Angel Di Maria and Louis van Gaal likely stems from a fundamental clash of playing styles and philosophies. Di Maria, known for his flair, creativity, and freedom on the pitch, may have struggled to adapt to Van Gaal’s more rigid and structured approach to football. Van Gaal is known for his emphasis on tactical discipline and positional awareness, which could have stifled Di Maria’s natural playing instincts.
During his time at Manchester United, Van Gaal often rotated Di Maria between different attacking positions, including as a winger and central playmaker, in an attempt to maximize his impact. However, this constant shuffling may have contributed to the Argentine’s inability to find his rhythm and perform at his best.
The Aftermath: A Move to Paris and Renewed Success
After just one season at Manchester United, Di Maria made a swift exit to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2015. In France, the Argentine star found renewed success, regaining his form and becoming a key player for PSG. Di Maria’s performances in Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, and on the international stage for Argentina have since restored his reputation as one of the top attacking players in world football.
The contrast between his time at Manchester United and his achievements at PSG has only fueled the narrative that Van Gaal’s managerial style was a poor fit for Di Maria’s talents.
A Lasting Feud
It is clear that the relationship between Angel Di Maria and Louis van Gaal remains strained. While Di Maria has repeatedly voiced his frustrations with his former manager, Van Gaal has maintained that the Argentine’s struggles were due to his inability to adapt to the demands of English football.
As Di Maria continues to enjoy success in his career, and Van Gaal’s tenure at Manchester United becomes a distant memory, this ongoing feud serves as a reminder of how a clash between player and manager can dramatically impact both the individual’s career and the team’s success.
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Angel Di Maria’s time at Manchester United was undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods of his illustrious career. His harsh criticism of Louis van Gaal reflects the frustration he felt during that time, but it also sheds light on the complex relationship between players and their managers. While Van Gaal has defended his decisions, Di Maria’s perspective highlights the importance of a strong player-manager connection for success on the pitch. Ultimately, the saga between Di Maria and Van Gaal remains a fascinating chapter in the history of Manchester United and world football.
