re: Louis van Gaal the "Tactical Genius"

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Not when it counted. Dutch didn't score a goal in the last 240 minutes

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they were unlucky to not put 3 in the last game even with los ticos parking the bus

The Dutch don't win every penalty shootout in the WC so LVG is a goat? I think he did a good job taking this Dutch team to the semifinal and within a few kicks of the final. This was not a vintage Dutch squad. Just look at their lineup. There are a few superstars, sure, but the bulk of the side would not be recognized as world-beaters. He had Ron Vlaar starting as his CB. Nobody was questioning LVG's tactics when the Dutch rolled the Spanish 5-1.

And to those of you who are laughing at the guy, just consider his track record. He won the CL with Ajax. Went to another final with Bayern. And has won numerous titles in three separate leagues. Who knows how things will work at United, but to trash the guy as a butthead or a clown is just not accurate. He's won a hell of a lot more than Rodgers, Redknapp, Martinez, or Wenger And Mourinho has credited LVG as being an large influence on his career.

ETA: Another consideration is that the Dutch team crapped out of Euro '12 and had a lot of infighting between players. LVG culled the squad and infused it with youth. The Dutch had an excellent qualifying record, winning 9 and drawing one of their ten matches. They then won 5 games in the WC and went out on pens in the semis. Not really that laughable.