“He is the best coach from Netherlands” - Van Gaal makes big claim as Manchester United’s Ten Hag and Liverpool's Arne Slot prepare for new season
Former Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal reckons his compatriot Arne Slot - who has taken over the reins at Liverpool - is the best Dutch coach around - ahead of Manchester United's Erik ten Hag.
Slot has arrived at Anfield - succeeding the legendary Jurgen Klopp - after a successful stint with Eredivisie side Fenerbahce. Meanwhile, his compatriot - Ten Hag - has been in English football with United for two seasons, having arrived in the summer of 2022.
The 45-year-old Slot won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup in his two-and-a-half season stint at Feyenoord, while Ten Hag achieved success at Ajax before arriving at United.
However, Van Gaal reckons Slot is the 'best' Dutch trainer around, saying on Sky Sports (as per Rousing the Kop):
“Yes it’s a big job because Jurgen Klopp has done it fantastically. He (Slot) as the successor, it’s always more difficult. But he is a good trainer coach.
“I think at the moment with Peter Bosz he is the best trainer coach from the Netherlands. And he was reachable, he was at that time free. So, I think Liverpool have made a very good choice.”
Van Gaal has had experience of English football, managing United between 2014 and 2016.
A recap of Manchester United and Liverpool's 2023-24 seasons
Manchester United and Liverpool have had contrasting seasons. While the Red Devils stuttered to an eighth-placed Premier League finish, Liverpool finished third, behind Manchester City and Arsenal.
The two sides also had contrasting campaigns in Europe. United finished a dismal fourth in their UEFA Champions League group to bow out of Europe, while Klopp's Reds lost to eventual winners Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals.
United and Liverpool tasted domestic cup success during their campaign, though. While the Red Devils beat holders Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, Klopp's side beat Chelsea 1-0 in the EFL Cup title match earlier this year.