Manchester United defender Daley Blind has insisted that Louis van Gaal didn’t deserve to be sacked by the club following his dismissal on Monday.
The Dutchman parted company with the club just two days after lifting the FA Cup, with his failures in the Premier League and in Europe ultimately behind the decision.
Having split opinion in his two years in charge with a whole host of former players criticising his style of play, Van Gaal was always under pressure of losing his job with Jose Mourinho waiting in the wings.
While the Portuguese tactician is now expected to be announced as his successor this week, as noted by Sky Sports, Blind has looked back on his time with his fellow Dutchman at Old Trafford although he will naturally be disappointed given his personal relationship with his former boss.
“I’m closer to the situation than many other people,” Blind said in the Daily Mirror. “And I can tell you that his departure came as a surprise. I feel for him. He doesn’t deserve this.
“I’ve worked with him for so many years. I played under him for years at Ajax, I was his captain, I was his assistant at the last World Cup. He’s a great coach.
“We all know that, as a manager, you will face the sack at some stage in your career. It happens to every manager.
“In this case I find it very disappointing. I know in which way this sacking was done and it’s not the way it should go.”
Ultimately, it’s no surprise that Blind is disappointed to see his former manager leave, particularly given that he continued to play an important part in his plans again this year.
While more details surrounding the sacking will likely come to light in the coming days, it won’t be long before the Dutch ace is focusing on impressing his new boss and attempting to remain an integral part of the squad.