Manchester United - Fixing the Broken Machine

Louis van Gaal is not the New Manchester United Boss

Louis van Gaal, the favourite to take the Manchester United job, has revealed that he is not the one filling the Old Trafford hot seat.

The former Netherlands boss, who led the Dutch to third place in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, was the favourite to replace sacked David Moyes, who was relieved of his duties in April.

“I attending an interview at the Aon Training Complex with various high level people from the club. They told me they wanted Champions League, and I said no chance.”

The former Bayern Munich boss, who won one Bundesliga at his time with the German Giants, is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the modern game.

“The job was not for me, unfortunately, and that is a pity. Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, and to be manager of it would be great, but it wasn’t to be.”

The news broke around ten o’clock last night, with various social media and newspapers reporting that van Gaal had ended his interest in the job, and was confirmed by the club this morning, via the clubs official Twitter account.

The tweet revealing that the media’s reports are correct.

The media is now speculating who will take over at the Red Devils, with former Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni being linked with the job, alongside Frank Rijkaard and former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, but no one is sure who Manchester United has in mind to replace ‘The Chosen One’.

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Di Matteo to Become the Red Devils Leader?

Italian manager Roberto Di Matteo is reportedly in Manchester this evening to attend a meeting with the Manchester United board, concerning the current vacancy at Old Trafford.

The 44 year old, who had a successful playing career with clubs such as Chelsea and Lazio, before it was ended by a triple leg fracture in the 2000/01 season, has been linked on and off with the managerial role since Louis van Gaal revealed he was out of the running, but was not considered the favourite for the job.

The former midfielder, who does have managerial experience in the Premier League, was seen at Birmingham Airport around lunchtime boarding a private plane, which is when the speculation began.

The Manchester United fans seem generally excited by the surprise appointment of Di Matteo, most remembering his Champions League triumph while Caretaker Manager at Chelsea, believing he can bring them the same success and more.

However, some fans are sceptical, as they believe that he does not yet have the experience to manage a club with the stature of Manchester United and the fact that he is an icon at SW6, London.

Former Manchester United and Chelsea player Ray Wilkins said if the rumours were correct, he would be very pleased for Di Matteo.

“Di Matteo is a great guy and a great manager, and will for sure win over Manchester United fans. What he did at Chelsea [win the FA Cup and Champions League] was great, and I feel he was treated harshly there [referring to his sacking]. He deserves another chance at a top club to prove whether his time at Chelsea was luck or proper talent. He deserves it, he works very hard.”

Wilkins words should encourage the United fans, and shows he already has the backing from several stars.

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Di Matteo Appointed as Manchester United Boss

Roberto Di Matteo has been given the vacant managerial job at Manchester United today, penning a one year deal with an option to extend.

Di Matteo, who was sacked by Chelsea after winning the FA Cup and Champions League double in 2012, and has been jobless ever since, despite being linked and asked for interviews at a variety of clubs.

“Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and in the Premier League. To be given this opportunity is amazing and I cannot wait to get started. They have some of the best players in the world and a talented squad” Di Matteo told the club’s official website.

“The facilities are great and Old Trafford is amazing, the atmosphere is thrilling. I want to see the fans there, and hopefully give them good times to remember. I want to win silverware here, just like the board, players and most of all the fans.”

Di Matteo, who never lost at Old Trafford as a player, said he wanted to turn the Theatre of Dreams back into a stadium that teams fear.

“I want to turn Old Trafford into a place that all teams fear, just like it was under Sir Alex. I remember, as a player, always worrying about the games here.”

Di Matteo won two trophies in his last managerial tenure, winning 24 of 42 games, with 12 of those wins coming in the Premier League.


Di Matteo’s managerial record at Chelsea

The 44 year old Italian, who was born in Switzerland, will have the tough task of rebuilding the current squad and qualify for Europe, which the club missed out on last season, finishing 7th under David Moyes.

Ed Woodward, the Chief Executive at Manchester United welcomed Di Matteo to the club.

“He is a very good, young manager with full of bright ideas. I want to welcome him to the club, and wish him success.”

“When I met up with him for the first time, I was very impressed. He knew what he was talking about. He had clear intentions on what he wanted to do and where to take the club, and we thought the same.”

“We have decided to give him a very healthy budget for this season to try and avoid the disasters of last season. Hopefully, he will spend it well and buy some top quality players.”

The former Lazio player’s assistant will be United legend Ryan Giggs, who chose to end his 24 year playing career at the end of last season.

“To work with Roberto is something I am looking forward too. He had momentous success at Chelsea, and I hope we can replicate that here. Hopefully we will be here, together, for a long time.”

The media are now speculating who will be Di Matteo’s first signings, with the deals for Southampton’s Luke Shaw and Atletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera to be completed in the coming days. Names being circulated by the media are Real Madrid’s Angel Di María, and Dortmund’s Mats Hummels to fill the void left by Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand.