UNITED BOSS RESIGNS
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has left his position in charge of the club, citing a promise to retire as the reason for his resignation.
The Dutchman succeeded current Real Sociedad boss David Moyes following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and guided the Red Devils to a fourth place finish in the Barclays Premier League, sealing a potential return of UEFA Champions’ League football to Old Trafford.
In a statement made by the Manchester club, Van Gaal’s reason for leaving Man United was confirmed as a “personal promise” to his wife, telling her that he’d quit once his mission to somewhat re-organise the club had been achieved.
However, rumours in social media that Van Gaal walked away from the red half of Manchester due to a dressing room revolt has begun to emerge, of which club officials have failed to make a comment on.
Speculation suggests much of the unrest comes from Manchester United’s Spanish speaking members, in particular goalkeeping duo Victor Valdes and David De Gea.
Van Gaal is believed to have gathered Valdes’ belongings and placed them in the reserves’ dressing room, angering Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and De Gea, heavily linked to a move to Real Madrid.
Herrera himself had struggled to impress Van Gaal throughout the first half of last season, seeing most of his minutes coming from substitute appearances at a time when United fans called for the former Athletic Bilbao man's inclusion.
Van Gaal’s in-fighting is also believed to have extended itself to fan favourite Rafael da Silva, who failed to break into the team last season after recovering from injury and now joins Ligue 1 runners-up Olympique Lyonnais for a minimal fee.
Manchester United will now begin the search for a new boss, with ex-Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp odds on favourite to take over.