Manchester United super striker Robin van Persie has lauded his ‘special’ relationship with Louis van Gaal following the 62-year-old’s switch to Old Trafford.
Van Persie – who will be the new man’s captain when the World Cup kicks off next month – revealed how his national team boss gets the best out of his players during training.
The Red Devils goal-getter has worked with Van Gaal since 2012 when he took charge of the Netherlands for a second stint, and the pair quickly established a strong bond.
“I never had a relationship with a coach like I have with Van Gaal – it’s very special,” Van Persie told the Sun.
“Every training session is very intense. He is on our backs every minute. There is no space to relax, he demands full focus.
“We work very hard for a maximum 1hr 15mins, never longer. But these 75 minutes are enormously intense.”
The former Arsenal striker locked horns with David Moyes at the start of the 2013/2014 campaign over the Scot’s different training methods.
However the 30-year-old will have no complaints when Van Gaal takes to the Carrington turf instructing him and his team-mates.
The 2012/2013 Golden Boot winner relishes his relationship with the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss – as he is unlike no other.
Van Persie said: “We’ve had many great conversations over the past two years about football but also about other things. You don’t have that bond with every coach.
“He has a different approach to the other coaches I’ve worked under, but I like it a lot. He is very clear and honest – he says when something is good and when something is not good, but there is always room for discussion.
“He creates a very relaxed atmosphere, but he is typically Dutch, direct, boom. He has only one aim, and that is to improve. I don’t find that exhausting – I find it energising. Wonderful.”
Van Gaal will have a tough job propelling his new side from a seventh place finish in the Premier League back to the upper echelons, which fans are more accustomed to.
After the new boss has completed his duties at the World Cup he will be able to focus solely on the huge rebuilding task that needs to take place at United.
Main image courtesy of Jason Cairnduff/Action Images, with thanks.
