Manchester United

Louis van Gaal 'feels betrayed by Manchester United sacking'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 29 May 2016

A report claims that former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is furious at the way he was replaced by Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal has been left feeling betrayed by the manner in which he was shown the Manchester United exit and is now seeking a quick return to football, according to a report.

The Dutchman's two-year spell at Old Trafford was brought to an inevitable end last week, just days after winning his first piece of silverware at the club by beating Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

Jose Mourinho, a long-term close friend of Van Gaal's, was the man ushered in by the Red Devils as they aim to once more restore themselves as a major force in English and European football.

However, is it claimed by The Sun that the 64-year-old boss is still seething over the way reports emerged of his sacking when celebrations were still in full swing at Wembley Stadium eight days ago.

A source close to Van Gaal is quoted as saying: "Louis feels betrayed by how Jose took over and how he was sacked. He didn't believe he would be axed after the FA Cup win and now realises what happened since December with Mourinho.

"Louis feels stabbed in the back by Jose - and by the club. He had heard everything during the season but the fact remained he was still manager and then won the prize of the FA Cup. Maybe his own personality meant he didn't believe it.

"Yet at Wembley he still didn't have any official word about his future. It was only when he got a text from United boss Ed Woodward on Sunday afternoon, asking for talks as the United train was approaching Stockport, that he knew it was over."

The unnamed source also claimed that Van Gaal is "definitely not finished in football" after his ill-fated spell in England, but any managerial job in club football would be unlikely as he seeks a return to the international scene.

Van Gaal has also previously managed at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich and the Netherlands across a 30-year coaching career.