Louis van Gaal has declared that he intends to fight on as Manchester United manager despite growing calls for him to leave.
Van Gaal believes that he still retains the support of the Glazer family, the club’s owners, and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward in the midst of a deepening crisis at Old Trafford.
The former Netherlands coach’s position is under increasing scrutiny, with his team out of the Champions League and struggling domestically.
Louis van Gaal is under intense pressure at United
That followed elimination from the Champions League at the group stage earlier this month, and a Capital One Cup exit at home to Championship side Middlesbrough in October.
Jose Mourinho is understood to be interested in taking charge at Old Trafford, having been sacked by Chelsea on Thursday, while Pep Guardiola could also be considered as a contender after confirming on Sunday that he will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
• Who could replace LVG as United manager?
Neither Woodward nor the Glazers have given any indication that they are looking to make a change of manager, but they and the United board are fully aware of the levels of disquiet among the club’s support.
Van Gaal admitted in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s defeat that he was concerned for his job, and has stated that he would resign if he felt he had lost the support of his players.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal after the Norwich match
But asked if that was the case, he said: “No. I have seen the reaction of the players towards me.”
He went on to suggest that he still felt he had the board’s support, having spoken briefly to Woodward after Saturday’s game. “I feel that support, yes,” he said.
Van Gaal had just led the Netherlands to third place at last year’s World Cup when he arrived at Old Trafford on a three-year contract, and was given the task of reviving United’s fortunes, which had slumped during the brief and unsuccessful reign of David Moyes.
Having finished seventh in 2013-14, United rose to fourth last season under Van Gaal, regaining a place in the Champions League.
Norwich's Alexander Tettey (left) and Martin Olsson after the game
However, even before the side’s poor recent run, Van Gaal had faced growing criticism from fans and former players alike regarding their unadventurous style of play.
Paul Scholes, who won two Champions League titles and 11 Premier League medals under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, has been among the vocal critics, stating that he would not have enjoyed playing under Van Gaal.
Former United captain Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, said on Saturday that they should move for Guardiola, who led Barcelona to the Champions League twice and has won the German title in each of his two full seasons at Bayern.
The fact that Mourinho is now a free agent, and is believed to be keen to make a quick return to management following his dismissal at Stamford Bridge, makes him a more immediate threat to Van Gaal.
It was a day to forget for the Utd skipper
Mourinho spent Saturday watching Middlesbrough’s 3-0 Championship win at Brighton, before returning to London on Sunday to attend the wedding of his former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard to television presenter Christine Bleakley.
Van Gaal’s side did little to calm their critics as they lost to Norwich, managing just two shots on target against a side who had won one of their previous 11 league matches.
United must attempt to improve their fortunes against one of their former strikers on Boxing Day, as they visit a Stoke team managed by Mark Hughes, before a home match two days later against Chelsea, now led on an interim basis by Guus Hiddink.
Van Gaal said: “I always think a good result helps the confidence to increase and that is what we need now.
It's Stoke away next for United
“We can show a professional attitude and a fantastic spirit in the training session, but you need that result. And of course, we need it much more now after our first home league defeat of the season.”
United’s fans booed the side at the end of Saturday’s match, and Van Gaal appealed to them for support as the players attempt to rebuild their season.
He said: “The most important support is from the players. It is always like that because the players have to do it on the pitch. The chemistry between the players and the manager and his staff is very important.
“But of course the belief of the fans in the manager is also very important. Last year, they believed in me. They thought I would bring us to the top.
“Now we are in a bad period. We have lost three matches in a row and their belief has been tested. “It’s important how the fans are thinking, of course. But the most important thing is Manchester United.”
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét