‘Boring’ Louis van Gaal missed out on Belgium job

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Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was reportedly considered for the role of Belgium manager.

Former Manchester United and Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal interviewed for the recently-vacant Belgium managerial position, but was turned down due to his ‘boring’ preliminary interview.

Van Gaal – who was only sacked by Manchester United in May – was said to be extremely interested in the vacant post, and was reportedly on an initial list of candidates that the Belgium FA was evaluating.

After attending a preliminary interview however, at which Van Gaal was asked to outline his vision and philosophy for the team, reports in the Mail are now claiming that Van Gaal was ruled out due to his ‘draining and exhausting’ philosophy.

These words in particular will sound very familiar to Premier League fans and fans of Manchester United, with the experienced Dutchman having often being criticised for his dull and unexciting brand of football whilst in charge of the Premier League giants.

Van Gaal was also said to have been an unpopular manager amongst the players whilst in charge of the Red Devils, with both Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick said to have confronted the Dutchman on different occasions over his managerial methods.

For the Belgium FA– who eventually opted for former Wigan and Everton manger Roberto Martinez – this was again a sticking point, with many feeling that their squad of undoubtedly talented players would be better suited to a manager who would be able to coax the best out of each individual.

Van Gaal was well known at United for favouring lengthy team meetings, and emphasising the importance of possession and solidity over individual excellence.

For a squad possessing the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens, a slower, possession-oriented style of play is unlikely to have ever been favoured over a more attacking brand of play, which utilised some of their flair and creative players.

In the wake of being rejected by Belgium, Van Gaal has been linked with a number of jobs and roles within world football, including both a return to former club Ajax to work as a club director, as well as a potential roll within the Dutch national team.