After two seasons full of despair, stuttering form, classic Louis van Gaal quips and no silverware, Manchester United finished the season with a hard earned FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace. Jesse Lingard‘s peach of a volley gifted United their first FA Cup win in 11 years after two disappointing final outings against Arsenal and Chelsea, salvaging an otherwise forgettable season for United but also giving their fans hope for the future. Louis van Gaal led his United players onto the famous Wembley steps to lift the cup and celebrate with the players, a serious feel good moment for United. But suddenly, it all turned. BBC Sport, Sky Sports and various respected journalists within minutes reported that van Gaal was to be sacked with Jose Mourinho in swift talks to take over. The focus shifted from showing singing players in dressing rooms and taking cup selfies to waving goodbye and chanting “good riddance” to an unpopular manager.
Louis van Gaal Doesn’t Deserve This Treatment
This all seemed pretty odd. Usually when a manager leads a club to victory, he is presented as a god, paraded around the stadium, covered in champagne and allowed to drink in the praise even if his future is uncertain. Van Gaal defiantly carried the FA Cup into the post match press conference, proud of what his team achieved but with the Mourinho rumours flying, he was unable to bask in the glory and instead went on the offensive to defend his cup win and attack journalists. Whether or not you like van Gaal’s style, tactics or personality, this all seemed very disrespectful, treating the manager as if he had lost 3-0 after a shambolic United display. All of this allowed to happen without the Manchester United hierarchy stepping in and protecting him from the rumours and give him a dignified send off.
Instead of giving the Dutchman praise and affection, he has been shoved out of a moving car in the middle of nowhere in his pants. No attempt by Manchester United to relieve van Gaal of his duties at a more appropriate time or give him a chance to celebrate for one last time with his squad. Compare United’s attitude with Arsenal; after their back-to-back FA Cup wins, the North London club paraded their shiny bit of silverware around North London before an uplifting fan event where their squad was presented in all their glory in front of thousands of Arsenal fans outside The Emirates. Some criticised Arsenal for milking their FA Cup wins with a hyperbolic parade but after nine years of no silverware, growing apathy against Arsenal’s league performances and Arsene Wenger and rumours of the Frenchman’s departure, it was understandable. If Arsene Wenger had left after their FA Cup win over Hull City, it would have been a fitting end to a successful reign, while also helping quieten the fans’ angst against players and the boardroom and give Arsenal fans something to celebrate for the first time in years.
With United, there has been nothing. A walk of honour around Wembley’s turf is standard for any cup winner but no parade or spectacle outside Old Trafford. No chance of seeing a hungover Chris Smalling admitting to van Gaal that he is “alright for an old guy”. All rather muted from United and damning of their behaviour towards their former manager, a man who allegedly harassed players about their performances and work rate (although it makes you wonder why they think Jose Mourinho is a solid successor). The focus by the club from a neutral perspective seems to be a plan van Gaal out of the door, get Mourinho in and then build for next year which is sad, really.
An open top parade through Manchester would have been a respectful goodbye to the Dutchman, given the fans something to saviour and enjoy and a distraction while the United’s hierarchy sort out their future and direction.I suppose you cannot blame United for how they handle managerial sackings. After 26 years of undisputed success and glory via Sir Alex Ferguson‘s genius and wisdom, you can forgive the club for not knowing how to deal with sacking staff members, almost as if they expect managers to walk before they are pushed. The timing of David Moyes‘ sacking was comprehensible considering how United were some way off a Champions League finish and unlikely to gain Europa League qualification while Louis van Gaal’s departure was misguided. A rush to push van Gaal out of the door moments after winning the club their 12th FA Cup with no attempt by the club to give him a humble or last hurrah shows their lack of class. Maybe Jose Mourinho and Manchester United really is a match made in heaven.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Louis van Gaal Manager of Manchester United walks past the FA Cup Trophy prior to The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
