Louis van Gaal’s all-time XI: Former Ajax, Barca, Bayern Munich and Manchester United manager — but who makes the cut?
Dutchman won the Champions League in 1995, and trophies in Holland, Spain, Germany and England but who makes team?
LOUIS VAN GAAL has called time on a quite breathtaking managerial career.
Forget his time at Manchester United.
This a fantastic manager, with a tremendous history, who won trophies in Holland, Germany, Spain, England — believe it or not — and on the Continent.
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He brought through some of the best players in recent times and always put his faith in youth.
But who makes his best ever combined team?
Goalkeeper
Edwin van der Sar
Van der Sar was regarded as one of the best around in the 1990s, at a time when there was an abundance of top keepers.
Together, they won three league titles, two Dutch Cups, the Champions League, Uefa Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
A special mention also goes to David De Gea, who shone under LVG at United.
Defence
Michael Reiziger
A MAINSTAY in Van Gaal’s Champions League-winning side.
Reiziger was solid defensively and an important attacking outlet from right-back.
He moved to Barcelona — via AC Milan — and linked up with LVG again.
Albert Ferrer just missed out.
Frank De Boer
ANOTHER who played under Van Gaal at both Ajax and Barcelona.
De Boer was skillful and strong, with a fantastic passing range.
He just beats Danny Blind, who was the captain at Ajax.
Pep Guardiola
NOT his natural position, but he could certainly play in defence.
Guardiola was one of the most intelligent footballers around, and slotted in seamlessly in midfield or at the back.
Xavi was his heir apparent and they were very similar in style.
Philipp Lahm
LVG’S vice-captain at Bayern Munich.
Lahm is two-footed and fits in perfectly in either full-back slot.
The World Cup winner is strong and intelligent with a great eye for a pass.
They won a league and cup double together in 2010 and Lahm beats Winston Bogarde, who starred under LVG at Ajax and Barcelona.
Defensive midfield
Bastian Schweinsteiger
ANOTHER whose time at United needs to be forgotten.
Schweinsteiger was one of the finest players in the world in his pomp.
Van Gaal moved him to the centre, and that was arguably where he produced his best football.
Attacking midfield
Luis Figo
IT WAS under Van Gaal at Barcelona that the Portuguese superstar established himself as a world class operator.
Figo was regarded as one of the best players in the world.
And that was made official when he won the Ballon d’Or just months after he — under extreme circumstances — and LVG left the Nou Camp in the summer of 2000.
Jari Litmanen
HE WAS Van Gaal’s main man in the Ajax side which became the cream of Europe in 1995.
The Finnish hero inevitably followed his manager to Barcelona.
Litmanen finished third in the Ballon d’Or standings in 1995.
Rivaldo
ENJOYED the best part of his career under Van Gaal — even if the pair didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye.
During the Dutchman’s first tenure at Barcelona, Rivaldo was the best player in the world and won every individual award in 1999.
Arguably the best player Van Gaal has ever managed.
Marc Overmars
FAST, strong and skillful with an eye for goal.
Overmars was everything you could want from a winger.
His nimble quick feet often offered Ajax — and later Barcelona — a way out out of trouble and into the opposition’s box.
Attack
Patrick Kluivert
SCORED the 85th minute winner in the 1995 Champions League final.
Kluivert may not have been everybody’s cup of tea, but he was a brilliant finisher.
Linked up with Van Gaal again at Barcelona after moving via Milan.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-time XI