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Wayne Rooney picks Van Gaal as best coach he's played for in his career

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney says the best coach he worked with was Louis Van Ga...
Ben Finnegan
Ben Finnegan

14.38 30 Jun 2019


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Wayne Rooney picks Van Gaal as...

Wayne Rooney picks Van Gaal as best coach he's played for in his career

Ben Finnegan
Ben Finnegan

14.38 30 Jun 2019


Share this article


Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney says the best coach he worked with was Louis Van Gaal.

The 67-year-old Dutchman took over the reins at Old Trafford following the departure of David Moyes in 2014. He signed a three-year deal which came into effect after guiding the Netherlands through the 2014 World Cup.

The Oranje finished third in the competition, losing to Argentina in the semi-finals. However, the most memorable moment came before a penalty shoot-out against Costa Rica in the last eight, when Van Gaal substituted goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul, which proved decisive as the former Newcastle United shot-stopper kept out two spot-kicks from the Central Americans.

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Van Gaal who led Ajax to Champions League glory in 1995 lost his first game in charge with the Red Devils, going down 2-1 to Swansea at Old Trafford. However, his last game was a victory in the 2016 FA Cup final, beating Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace in extra time.

That had been the only time in Wayne Rooney's 13 years at the Manchester club where he had success in the FA Cup.

The former England captain, who now plays with MLS side DC United told the Mirror that, "Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with - 100%."

"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 together.

Earlier this week, the 33-year old striker revealed that he has had offers from clubs in England and the US to take over as manager and he believes the time under Van Gaal will be valuable.

"I regret how it all ended, yet I know one thing for sure - I have learned a lot from him and I am definitely going to use those lessons for when I am a manager."


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