Louis van Gaal believes that Manchester United players have finally understood his mysterious philosophy and now it is up to players to implement them properly. Also Van Gaal is adamant that he is an attacking coach despite United were criticised for not being adventurous enough during this season.
After a slow start under Van Gaal, United have picked up lately. The Reds have lost only two of their last 20 games and have beaten top-four rivals Tottenham and Liverpool in their last two fixtures. However, he suggests that his belief system is not just about players, but also the environment.
According to MUTV, “My philosophy is a long story. The most important thing is we are a total human being. I consider my players as not only a player who kicks the ball from A to B but also his environment and him as a human being. I want to get know the player.
“My football philosophy is very important. I like attacking football but you need the players for that and I shall always look to the level of the players, to the quality of the players and where they can play.
“I divide attack into four phases and also defence into four phases. I think the players know everything about the philosophy now but now they have to perform it.”
Van Gaal added that he developed his most-used-word philosophy during his playing days, when he developed his tactical nous to make up for his lack of pace.
“During my playing career I was also captain so you had more chance to develop yourself. I was a slow player so I had to think very quickly that is why I developed my tactical level that suits me now as a coach.
“I can transform matches. I knew I wanted to become a trainer-coach and my philosophy starts then at that time.”
Also the Dutchman did not stop there as he went on to say that he has a duty to pass on his knowledge to the next generation. “It is a task of every human being that you transfer what you have learned about life and about football,” he added.