Van Gaal didnt deserve such treatment- De Boer

Ronald de Boer feels his former manager Louis van Gaal to be treated better, following his sacking by Manchester United.

De Boer worked with Van Gaal at Barcelona, Ajax and The Netherlands, but admitted his former coach’s tenure never really got going during his two years at Old Trafford.

“First of all as a friend I am very sad for him and disappointed. In the other way you saw it almost as coming. And of course, how it went at the end doesn’t deserve a lifting a trophy and then 10 minutes later you’re not the manager any more. That doesn’t that’s probably not the way to treat a manager like that who won so many trophies and had so much respect from a lot of people.

“But that also football and life goes on, also for him. He didn’t really get going for those two years, and why? I don’t know. I was not there. I know only that he’s an unbelievable manager who works his socks off and gives a full 100 per cent. And for whatever reason it didn’t really go in, and that’s sad.

“It’s not for me to say, but I have a feeling he (Van Gaal) will step away and just enjoy life and watch some nice games, give his thoughts about football and his (give) his thoughts about football and his experience and hopefully for the Dutch football give his advice and bring Holland back to another level, but not as a manager any more I guess.

The Dutchman was speaking to promote the International Champions Cup pre-season friendly between Barcelona and Liverpool at Wembley on August 6.

He is also unsure whether Jose Mourinho is the right man to rejuvenate the Red Devils, and feels the Portuguese still has to prove he is up to what he describes as a very difficult task.

“I don’t know, that has to be shown still. I think he’s a good manager with an unbelievable record so like he’s a winner. So yes he can do that for sure. But Man United is a difficult club, a lot of pressure on that team, especially now. So he has to show he can do it for sure.

“They’re friends [Mourinho and Van Gaal]. Of course that’s a bit harsh when a friend takes over but I mean probably Van Gaal would do the same of Mourinho got sacked and was given the opportunity. And you have to accept that.”

He also praised an ‘unbelievable’ Luis Saurez and insists Barcelona have had a magnificent season, despite missing out on a second straight UEFA Champions League.

“Luis was unbelievable. Nobody expected it two years ago. Because then we was thinking how can he fit in the technical skills of the Barcelona. But he’s unbelievable. [he was] top scorer, I don’t know how many assists he made. But unbelievable and [I have] unbelievable respect for this man.

“Also when Neymar and Messi got injured he stepped up, so…All three get a lot of credit. Before you had the feeling it was only Messi, although I disqualified a lot of other players, but Messi was the man. But now everyone talks about MSN, it’s great when you have three forwards like that,” he said.