Louis van Gaal slams ‘horrible and treacherous’ Manchester United treatment
Ex-United boss Van Gaal says he snubbed jobs after Old Trafford sack to gain revenge on his old club for the way they dumped him for Jose Mourinho
LOUIS VAN GAAL has launched a stinging attack on Manchester United - insisting they treated him "horribly."
And the Dutchman insisted he passed up a series of top jobs after leaving Old Trafford so he could take revenge on United - by forcing them to pay up his contract in full.
Van Gaal was sacked two days after the Red Devils won the 2016 FA Cup. They finished fourth and fifth in the Premier League in his two seasons in charge.
Jose Mourinho replaced him, and it later emerged the Special One had been in secret talks with United for months.
Van Gaal, 66, has now hit out in an interview with Dutch paper De Volkskrant.
He fumed: "I think the manner in which Manchester United treated me was horrible, and treacherous as well.
"I had plenty of offers of work after I left United. The Belgian FA wanted me to become their national coach.
"But I couldn't take a job with anyone for a year, because of the conditions United attached to my severance payment.
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"So I missed out on the Belgium job, among others, despite thinking it would be a terrific challenge.
"I felt so resentful about letting this opportunity slip. It was stupid, as sporting considerations are the most important.
"But back then I felt it was more about taking revenge on United, and that they should have to pay me the maximum amount."
Van Gaal was also dispensed with by Barcelona, but he contrasted his treatment by the Catalans with how Old Trafford chiefs behaved towards him.
He added: "The way Barcelona's president Josep Lluis Nunez behaved with me was fantastic.
"Not everyone in the world of football is a fake."