World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 21, 2022 at 4pm UK

Senegal
0 - 2
Netherlands

Mendy (90+4'), Gueye (90+6')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Gakpo (84'), Klaassen (90+9')
de Ligt (56')

Senegal vs. Netherlands: How do the two managers compare ahead of World Cup tie?

By Brett Curtis, Reporter and Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: November 21 2022 | 14:08

Sports Mole looks at how managers Aliou Cisse and Louis van Gaal stack up ahead of the World Cup clash between Senegal and Netherlands.

Two managers with impressive pedigrees will go head to head when Senegal face Netherlands in Group A of the World Cup on Monday.

Senegal's Aliou Cisse is a relative novice in the dugout compared to his opposite number, yet he has still chalked up a century of wins in charge of his country, and steered them to their first-ever piece of silverware.

Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, has all of the experience in the world and is enjoying his second World Cup in charge of the Dutch outfit.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how both managers compare ahead of their first-ever meeting.

SENEGAL - ALIOU CISSE

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse on February 6, 2022 © Reuters

Aliou Cisse has been in charge of his home nation Senegal since March 2015, and he racked up his 100th win in charge of the Lions of Teranga by beating Bolivia 2-0 in September.

The 46-year-old, who earned 35 caps for his country during his playing career, has plenty of credit in the bank having guided them to both World Cups during his tenure as well as finally breaking their long-awaited duck at AFCON earlier this year.

Cisse's 70% win rate across 143 games in the managerial dugout is not to be sniffed at, and after the heartbreak of being eliminated by fair play tiebreaker rules at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he will be desperate to see his players go at least one better in Qatar.

NETHERLANDS - LOUIS VAN GAAL

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal before the match in June 2022 © Reuters

As a result of his retirement in 2019 and his recent health issues, there have been times in Van Gaal's life when he may not have envisaged taking charge of his country for a third time, never mind at a World Cup.

However, since replacing De Boer in August 2021, Van Gaal has instigated an upturn in fortunes with this talented group of players, recording 11 wins and four draws from his 15 matches in charge.

Combining that spell with his previous two stints, the first coming between July 2000 and November 2001 and the second occurring between July 2012 and July 2014, the veteran has lost just four matches in 59 games as manager of the Netherlands, and that influence should not be overlooked heading into this tournament.

Just three players remain from the squad which agonisingly missed out on a second successive final eight years ago, yet there is a strong argument that Van Gaal is now in charge of a more-rounded group of players who possess higher quality.

With Van Gaal now 71 years of age, this could be his last hurrah, and his squad will be highly motivated to deliver for their manager as well as their country.