MANCHESTER: Louis van Gaal is one of the most acclaimed managers of the modern era, a Champions League winner and deep thinker about the game, a success at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, a coach who guided Holland to the semifinals of the World Cup in Brazil, who is now reviving Manchester United.
Often depicted as haughty, the Dutchman is one of the most fascinating individuals in football, with far more emotional hinterland than perceived, and his story is compelling.
His story begins in Amsterdam. His father was a senior manager in an energies company, showing the work ethic that defines his son's career. "My father was going away at 7am and coming back at 7pm,'' recalled Van Gaal, talking on Monday at Carrington.
Tragically, his father suffered a heart attack, triggering a long decline. "I was six or seven when he was ill, and going to the hospital. I was 11 when my father died, so I didn't know my father so well."
The youngest of nine children, Van Gaal admitted he had to "fight" for attention, and his competitive streak, as well as footballing talents, were honed in street games, "playing three vs three with my brothers".
When he scored, Van Gaal would shout "Henkie, Henkie" after his idol of the late Sixties. "I was a fan of Henk Groot, former striker of Ajax, who scored many goals with his head. I thought 'I can do that also' but I couldn't.
"I was a football fanatic. I watched every game. When I was young, about 10, I was a great fan of Tottenham Hotspur, and a great fan of Jimmy Greaves. Unbelievable. It was on our television. The FA Cup. At that time there were not many football matches on television. I watched
Tottenham and of course United, George Best, Bryan Robson and after that David Beckham. But as a boy I was more a fan of Tottenham Hotspur. I'm sorry to say that! Nice white shirt.
"Real Madrid with Di Stefano is also white. But then later I was for Barcelona because a lot of Dutchmen were there: Rinus Michels was also coach of Barcelona, Johan Cruyff also coach and player of Barcelona. Johan Neeskens was there too." Cruyff and Neeskens graced that glorious Ajax side of the early Seventies. Van Gaal, a creative midfielder often used as an attacker, was in Ajax's second team while also studying to become a teacher at the Academy of Physical Education.
"I was a slow player. I was too slow for the top. That's why I have to think very quickly. The basis of my confidence is that I wasn't a talented player. I was a talented human being. At school, I always had good figures. I was the captain of all my football teams. I studied physical education at the Academy, so I learned to analyse, to observe and to take decisions," he explains.
That served him well as a player, at Royal Antwerp, Telstar, Sparta Rotterdam and Alkmaar before this stellar managerial career which has taken him through three countries and now to England.
"It is an honour and a challenge to be coach of United because I was trainer-coach of No. 1 [team] in the Netherlands, No. 1 in Spain and No. 1 in Germany. I had a choice to be here manager of different clubs [like Spurs]. I have chosen the No. 1. I am very proud. I don't think there are many other coaches who can say that.
"I've always set goals. Everything that I've reached I've set in advance - that I go to the Premier League for example. I said it a year before [the World Cup] to my federation, and everybody was 'aghhh, it is not possible'." So here he is in England, being impressed with the amount of respect bestowed on managers.
"I go from the pitch after Arsenal [the March 9 loss] and, of course, there are some yelling at me, but most applaud - in spite of the defeat." They respect him. "It is also for the manager of Manchester United. But I hope also for me but you never know. I like it very much because I never had that experience. At Barcelona, the handkerchiefs were there. In Amsterdam, they are whistling. Also in Munich, they are whistling when you have a defeat. But here, applause."
He quickly became familiar with the huge size of United's support during pre-season. "We were in the USA and we played against Real Madrid, Liverpool, Roma, Inter Milan and LA Galaxy, five matches in three weeks, 300,000 fans and I think 280,000 of them in a red shirt. I know that Manchester United is the biggest club of the world." Bigger than Real? "Yes. In terms of global appeal, not history.
"I made a trip with my wife through the world when I had a sabbatical year and I was in China and Hong Kong and such football madness in those countries. They recognise me everywhere. Unbelievable. And they know Manchester United much more than the manager."
From Ajax to Barcelona, Bayern and now United, Van Gaal has always given youth a chance. "Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, (David) Alaba, (Holger) Badstuber, (Carles) Puyol - I helped them all,'' said Van Gaal, who could also have mentioned Thomas Muller and Thiago Motta. "First, they have talent.
Second, they have talent in their character as human beings. Third, you have to select always [new blood] through every season. You have to stimulate your team spirit. That I have done this season. That's why they [United] have taken me. They made inquiries about how I work."
Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, James Wilson and Andreas Pereira have all been assessed in first-team combat and Van Gaal intends taking some of the other younger players on pre-season tour in July.
"When you hold [keep] all the same players, nothing changes. You need young players. You need also talent, and personalities. Sometimes you have to buy youngsters."
The potential of Xavi and Iniesta demanded their selection. "I saw their talent. [Pep] Guardiola was injured and Xavi came in, played very good in the position of Guardiola. For him and for me, it was clear. I am always clear with my expressions, individually with the players."
He is no managerial martinet. "When I make a decision, it is not 'my' decision. I take the decision for the group and my staff. I'm not cold. I'm very warm to all my players."
For all the opinionated, obdurate image, Van Gaal clearly has very human qualities. "I am the most flexible manager you can imagine. When the players are coming with good arguments, I change my opinion." He listens to players? "Yes." On tactics? "Yes. They need to have very good arguments. It is not so easy to convince me - that's true. But when you convince me I change my opinion. I ask also the players which system they want to play." Do they all say 4-4-2? "No. The fans are shouting it. I have played it but that was to do with accidental circumstances."
From Holland to Spain and Germany, Van Gaal has enjoyed a feted career which he wants to conclude with a final flourish at United. He became soulful when reflecting on his plans, on his desire to be with his second wife Truus, eventually retiring to the Algarve.
"My wife wants to quit now already. Five years ago. I'm not married to my job. Of course, I am 24 hours a manager, but I am also 24 hours a father of my children, grandfather of my grandchildren and I am always 24 hours lover of my wife. I am married to my profession, more than with her. I see my PA more than my wife. I have a paradise in Portugal. I want to quit to go there, play golf, eat fantastic food<" he concludes.