Van Gaal takes charge

MANCHESTER — New Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal believes he can meet the expectations for success at “the biggest club in the world”, but refused to be drawn into predicting what he can achieve when he was introduced to the media at Old Trafford yesterday.

The Dutchman, smiling and looking relaxed after arriving from his stint as Netherlands manager at the World Cup, also made it clear that the commercial demands at United would make his job harder.

The former Bayern Munich, Ajax and Barcelona boss, who was announced in May as successor to David Moyes, took his first training session yesterday morning before addressing the size of the challenge ahead of him at United.

“I’m now two days here. I’ve met a lot of people, and when you see that kind of people loving the club, they expect a lot of me,” said Van Gaal, 62.

“Can I fulfil that expectation? I think I can, but because of the greatness of this club it is much more difficult than in another club.

“This club is also guided in a commercial way and we have to fulfil that also, but it is not always possible to fulfil both. I will do my utmost best. That’s what I can give. I cannot give predictions.”

Van Gaal added: “I cannot give predictions because you never know. It’s the biggest club in the world. Within two days I know already how important Manchester United is but also how important the sponsors are.

“I have to adapt to this big club. It will not be easy, but you can see what I have won.”

Nicknamed the “Iron Tulip” for his reputation as a disciplinarian, Van Gaal will fly off with the squad today — minus Dutch star Robin van Persie, who was given three weeks off following the World Cup — for the club’s pre-season tour starting with a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 23 in the United States.

Van Gaal gave little indication of his plans for the squad, although a report in the Daily Mirror claimed as many as 10 players could be axed, including Marouane Fellaini, Nani, Nick Powell, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young.

“My method is always the same — I want to look at the players I have now. I want to see in the first few weeks what they can do. Maybe then I shall buy others players,” said Van Gaal.

Already, United have purchased midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao and defender Luke Shaw from Southampton, who were brought in at a combined cost of £59 million (S$125.3 million).

When asked about not taking a holiday following the World Cup, Van Gaal replied: “When there is a challenge like this, I cannot let it go. This is also a holiday for me because I like to work.”

He added: “It’s a great challenge because of the expectation. I worked for Barcelona, in my opinion No 1 in Spain; I have coached Ajax, No 1 in the Netherlands; I have coached Bayern Munich, No 1 in Germany, and now Man United, who are No 1 in England, and I hope I shall fulfil expectations.” AGENCIES

LOUIS VAN GAAL FACT BOX:

Birth: Aug 8, 1951 in Amsterdam

Clubs managed: Ajax Amsterdam (1991-1997), Barcelona (1997-2000), Netherlands (2000-2002), AZ Alkmaar (2005-2009), Bayern Munich (2009-2011), Netherlands (2012-2014), Manchester United (2014-present).

Honours (selected): 1994/95 Champions League with Ajax, 1997/98 and 1998/99 Spanish League with Barcelona, 2009/10 Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, third place with Netherlands at 2014 World Cup.