What CaughtOffside thinks about the biggest story in football currently.
On Monday Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal was named as David Moyes’ permanent successor as Manchester United manager and will take over after the 2014 World Cup.
So CaughtOffside’s writers have analysed the pros and cons of this decision.
Is van Gaal the right appointment for United?
Jordan Chamberlain – Yes, probably. I don’t think any United fans would have turned their noses up at the likes of Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti or even Jose Mourinho – but David Moyes’ tenure in charge proves that the club needed a winner, and an experienced one. Van Gaal’s track record speaks for itself.
Steven Green – Well, if United are looking for instant success then yes, he probably is. But at 63 years old he can hardly be considered as a long term solution. Someone like Jurgen Klopp would have been ideal, but these things aren’t always straight forward.
Richie Morgan – Undoubtedly yes.
Tom Seymour – He probably is yes. The thing that proved to be Moyes’ eventual downfall was the awe and magnitude of managing a team like United and what they really needed was someone with the experience of van Gaal.
What will he bring to English football?
JC – Discipline, and expect some brilliant sound bites as well!
SG – Dutch international midfielders. He’s already being linked with enough.
RM – Big-match experience, a fierce will to win, and authority.
TS – The Dutchman is famed for his strict approach and it will be as interesting to see if his style will be as revolutionary to the players in this country as when Arsene Wenger first took over at Arsenal in 1996.
Will he win silverware in his first season in charge?
JC – No. If he does, it’ll only be the League Cup or the FA Cup – the latter of which is no longer the special achievement many Arsenal fans have pretended it to be this week. There’s no way LVG can get a new group of players to immediately gel, and finish above both Manchester City and Chelsea. Third is realistic and achievable. Fifth will get him sacked.
SG – Quite possibly, though there is a chance that his training methods may disgruntle the squad, leaving him just as derided as David Moyes.
RM – Could be tricky, but if anyone can, van Gaal can.
TS – The only way van Gaal will be measured is how much he increases the United trophy cabinet and with no Champions League football to clog up time I can definitely see him at least winning one of the domestic cups.
Was he right to axe Rio Ferdinand?
JC – Depends entirely on who United manage to bring in to replace him. If they snare Mats Hummels, it looks a good decision.
SG – Though Ferdinand is way past his best, with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones as his only replacements at the moment then a one year deal wouldn’t have been the worst idea in the world. However, if LVG can bring in a top quality replacement then he won’t be missed.
RM – Most definitely, the former England centre back is now too old and injury prone for the Dutchman to build his defence around.
TS – Ferdinand had to go. He was often a liability at the back and with the chance for a clear out the new boss was right to look to the future – but needs to replace the Englishman with someone world-class, like Mats Hummels.
Who will be his big name signing this summer?
JC – He’ll go all out for Toni Kroos. United desperately need a midfielder with guile who can dictate tempo – which is going to especially help them at Old Trafford. The German will be costly, but he’s worth it.
SG – Mats Hummels.
RM – Arjen Robben.
TS – Toni Kroos. It seemed unlikely before van Gaal was appointed, but their previous relationship at Bayern Munich should sweeten the deal.
How long will he be at the club?
JC – Two seasons. Until the end of Ryan Giggs’ apprenticeship.
SG – Probably around 3-5 years. He’ll win the Champions League and bow out on a high.
RM – The full length of his three-year deal before he then hands over the reins to Ryan Giggs.
TS – With Ryan Giggs named as van Gaal’s assistant manager it looks as if United want to do a Barcelona and promote from within in a few years time, so I think it will be two years for the Dutchman at the club.
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil!