http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/sa...ited_have_the_wrong_Dutchman_as_boss/?ref=mac Article in the Echo which suggests that the Dutch press think that Man United got the wrong man (and thank goodness for that ). Gordon Watson had access to training under Poch and Ron and says that the marked difference is that on a Friday the team still have something left under Koeman, but were exhausted under Mauricio. Perhaps van Gaal will settle in at United, but I don't like his man management methods as he denigrates people in public...not an attractive trait. Of course sometimes it is a case of the manager getting the right team rather than the team getting the right manager. I think both Koeman and Pochettino may have found in Saints the right team for their style. Jury still out on how good MP can be at Spurs.
As Koeman said (with a wry smile) to a reporter when asked to comment on van Gaal: You'll soon find out for yourself what he is like.
The contrast in their playing careers is quite marked. Van Gaal couldn't get into the Ajax first team and never really made the top flight as a player. Koeman, in the other hand won the European Cup with Barcelona and the European Championship with Holland and played with some of the greatest players in his generation. I know the transition to management doesn't always work but Koeman so far has shown he knows what he is doing with Southampton. Van Gaal could have done better with Holland and so far is still finding his feet with Man U. I know which one I would rather have in charge at St. Mary's.
Also suggests that Saints do know what they are doing with their recruitment department (see Les Reed's video)...there is a Southampton method of working and managers have to be chosen to fit that rather than try and change everything for the manager. We have had four good managers in the Leihberr era...not just luck after all.
There is a heck of a lot of difference between a national side and a club side. The national side plays as much for pride as for the manager where as a club side does not have as much passion or commitment. If he had a team of youngsters that have to prove themselves he would do better. With the United side he already has a lot of players for what ever reason, seem to be demoralised. One gets the impression that they seem to think all they have to do is turn up and they will get a place in the side and win. He is not going to get far with the crop of players he has now. Not because they are bad players, but because they are automatic choices and little to challenge them for their place.
Picking up on the point made in Les Reeds video, Saints were looking for someone to manse in a bottom up method that exists within our club, Manure have been a top down management style with Fergie for years and they obviously chose LVG as he works in the same way but will take time changing everything about him that doesn't suite his style and his huge ego. Thats why RK has slotted straight in and got the team firing on all cylinders so quickly and LVG will take longer
No, they got the right one. They needed a high profile, strong willed manager after Moyes. Koeman obviously has a higher profile as a player but not really as a manager, yet! Hopefully Koeman will prove the better manager in England and he has obviously started the better of the two. He comes across as a really nice chap as well which somehow seems to suit Saints better than it would suit Utd.
Les Reed mentions in his presentation by name, Louis van Gaal, saying that he has gone into united and changed things to his way; Saints on the other hand chose Koeman because he believes what Saints were doing and could work to that manner. Someone coming in and making chances risked undoing the previous 5 years efforts at Saints.
We have carried on doing well despite 4 new managers...that must be a record. Most teams changing managers that frequently are doing it because they are struggling. Someone is doing something right.
I think It's too early to say, to be honest. He's brought in some quality players. Di Maria looks like a great player to build your team around: he never looked that good stuck out on the wing for Real or Argentina.
Which is exactly why Koeman fitted in superbly and hit the ground running, whereas Van Gaal has made major changes to drag the club round to his way. Effectively, Saints and Koeman were running in the same direction before he was chosen, which was a major reason for his appointment. Reed and his team have been playing a blinder ever since the takeover.
Which is pretty scary for Utd, our board wants the club moving and playing one way from U8s to the full team and transfer targets are and have been spied with our style in mind. Utd are shifting from one style to another with no regards to the type of players they already have and no consideration to the youth set up. They payed 30 mil for Shaw and then employed a manager whose preferred tactic is 3 CBs and no FBs, long may it continue
Woah....let's not dismiss LVG's record as a manager here. I think basically both teams got the right manager for each situation, and that will ultimately come to fruition, as DTLW says.
even if he doesn't do the best management job, the fact van gaal is internationally renowned is valuable to united and probably clinched signings like di maria and falcao for them while they do not offer champions league football. imagine those players signing for david moyes...
