The Iron Tulip Louis van Gaal has now been at Manchester United for 2 seasons now, with the Red Devils slowly getting back to what they were after a turbulent period under David Moyes. The job that the Dutchman has been doing thus far, has been decent enough, and just as he always has, van Gaal is building the foundation of a side that can achieve big things in the future. But, the irony lies in the word ‘future’ itself. Louis van Gaal is supposed to stay at Old Trafford just a season more after this and all that time won’t take too much effort in passing. It’ll pass by so quickly that we won’t ever have the time to sit back to realize it.
And as I write this, time is fleeting past for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford. Of course, he has made a mark there but who are the people who can succeed the 64-year-old? Let’s find out.
4. Roger Schmidt
An unknown to some, Schmidt is a manager to belongs to completely different host of managers in the European continent right now. Currently 48, but would turn 49 next year, or when a possibility of coming to United arises, Schmidt currently manages German giants Bayer Leverkusen and his tactically sound approach to games is something most experts love about him.
A manager who professes the gegen-pressing system, which is quite similar to that of Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, Schmidt’s current side and his Red Bull Salzburg sides have exhibited signs of playing no-nonsense, crash and burn, high-energy football. The system is a one which involves pressing the opposition high up the pitch once the attacking side lose the ball when attacking, such that they win the ball in areas close to the goal.
Leverkusen have always shown the desire to keep fighting and win games at all costs, and their recent 4-3 win against VFB Stuttgart shows that and their high-intensity playing style also suggests the same. He has youngsters such as Julian Brandt, Hakan Calhanoglu, Karim Bellarabi and Wendell in the ranks and has played a vital part in nurturing them. At United, he’d have the same foundation- a set of youngsters and an experienced host of professionals too.
Schmidt is contracted to Leverkusen till 2019, but when a side such as United come calling, you can’t reject it.