louis van Gaal is avoiding making any promises to instantly revive Manchester United’s fortunes. The Dutchman, who guided the Netherlands to a third-place finish at the World Cup, was formally introduced as United’s new manager on Thursday.
Van Gaal is the full-time successor to David Moyes, who was dismissed after less than a year as Alex Ferguson’s replacement. Under Moyes, United went from reigning Premier league champions to seventh-place finishers and missed out on the Champions league.
Speaking to reporters for the first time at Old Trafford, Van Gaal says he needs time before making predictions about the club’s prospects for next season.
The Dutchman says “I have to see how the players perform my philosophy and how quick they can pick up this philosophy.” Van Gaal labelled Man U the biggest club in the world as he addressed the media for the first time since taking over at Old Trafford.
The former Bayern Munich, Ajax and Barcelona boss, who was announced as David Moyes’ successor in May, took his first training session on Thursday morning before addressing the size of the challenge ahead of him at United.
“I will do my best and that’s what I can give. I cannot give predictions because you never know. It’s the biggest club of the world, which I know already after two days,” the 62-year-old, who has won league titles with every club he has managed, told a press conference.
“I have to adapt to this club. It shall not be easy, but I will do my utmost best. When you see my career, you can see what I have won and that is what I can say. The future shall show if I can do that again.”
He added: “It’s a great challenge because of the expectation. I worked for Barcelona, in my opinion number one in Spain; I have coached Ajax, number one in the Netherlands; I have coached Bayern Munich, number one in Germany, and now Man United, who are number one in England and I hope I shall fulfil expectations.”
Van Gaal’s work with Holland at the World Cup - guiding them to third place - delayed his introduction at Old Trafford.
He arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground for a low-key first day on Wednesday before being unveiled to the press on Thursday.
When asked about not taking a holiday following the World Cup, Van Gaal said he could not think about having a vacation with such a huge challenge hanging over him.
“I could not let them go. When you are asked by the biggest club in the world, it’s a big chance for me,” he said.
“When there is a challenge like this, I never let it go.”
At the start of the press conference he addressed how much of an honour it was to have United hero Sir Bobby Charlton introducing him to the club during this period.
“I want to thank Sir Bobby Charlton because it’s a great honour to come in this stadium and to be guided by him. My first steps - okay my first steps here were with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, I know that - but as the coach of Manchester United these were my first steps. I was very proud to do that with Sir Bobby Charlton.”