Louis van Gaal has become the centre of a media circus.
All it really needed was a short, simple, straight-to-the-point announcement.
“Manchester United are happy to announce that Louis van Gaal will take over as manager after the World Cup.”
Had that single sentence been forthcoming from Old Trafford at any point over the last fortnight, the matter would have been closed by now.
Instead, by refusing to admit what EVERBODY knows, United have turned the appointment of their next boss into a media circus. It’s a ridiculous situation especially given the reason behind the delay.
As far as I understand it, the club held off on an announcement after kowtowing to the Dutch FA, who don’t want their World Cup preparations to be disturbed.
In theory, that’s fine. In practice, it has been completely counter-productive. The Dutch training camp has been besieged by the media. And surprise, surprise, all they want to talk about is Manchester United.
Stories about Van Gaal handing a list of transfer targets to United have emerged, along with suggestions that he has met Ryan Giggs to discuss a future role at the club.
By not knocking the issue on the head quickly, United and the Dutch FA have left Van Gaal open to all sorts of criticism especially if Holland’s World Cup campaign starts poorly.
The Dutch face Spain in their first game. Can you imagine the backlash if they get cuffed?
The papers the next day especially in Holland will be screaming about how van Gaal’s heart’s not in it, and how he’s already thinking about United.
An early announcement and a wee interview on the subject, on the strict understanding that it would be ALL Van Gaal would say until after the tournament, would have guarded against all that nonsense.
Instead, everyone in the game is tangled up in a desperate battle to get even the tiniest snippets of information and that doesn’t serve anyone’s interests.
In the long run, it’s a situation that could end up hurting United, Holland and Van Gaal.
If the Red Devils struggle in the transfer market this summer, critics will point to the manager’s drawn-out appointment. If Holland get stuffed in the World Cup, Van Gaal will be accused of letting his mind wander.
And if he can’t lead United into the Champions League next season, it will be hard for the Dutchman to play down the impact of what may be a tumultuous summer.
United should finally concede Van Gaal will take over in the coming days. In my view, it’s already too late.
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