Louis van Gaal has not only made friends at FC Barcelona. In an interview, his ex-player Hristo Stoichkov gives a fierce argument against the Dutchman.
Louis van Gaal has been ticked off more than once in his career. After the noisy farewell to FC Bayern 2011, Uli Hoeneß reported on the Dutchman’s resistance to advice.
The headstrong van Gaal also caused a stir at FC Barcelona – although he won two championships between 1997 and 2000, the Cup and the UEFA Supercup.
Now legend Hristo Stoichkov has handed out the trophy against his former coach.
“He’s done good things that deserve recognition, but in football a lot has suffered from his bullshit. I have experienced it too,” the Bulgarian, who played for Barca from 1996 to 1998, told Radio Impacto de Córdoba.
Stoichkov gives out against van Gaal
“He came into the locker room and said there was a lot of cruyffism,” said Europe’s footballer of the year in 1994.
In comparison with the celebrated playing style of Totaalvoetbal, which had just been shaped by the legend Johan Cruyff, he only thought: “Sure, look where Johan stands and where you stand – there was a big difference.
“Fool Van Gaal” also responsible for Riquelme flop?
But Stoichkov was not only clear about his own experience with van Gaal. The Dutchman’s failed second guest appearance in the 2002/2003 season (van Gaal had to leave after half a year) also provided material for criticism.
At the time, Barca had just brought the celebrated director Juan Román Riquelme (South America’s 2001 Footballer of the Year) from the Boca Juniors – but he disappointed with a weak three goals and six assists in 30 La Liga games.
“Why Riquelme didn’t work for Barca? Because he had a fool like van Gaal as coach,” Stoichkov said, “That’s obvious – isn’t it?