The clash between Louis van Gaal and Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen has also reached Thomas Tuchel. The German manager of Chelsea says he is happy with the words of Van Gaal, who stood up for him.
Van Gaal and Driessen did not agree at the press conference about the fighting method of the Dutch national team. In Driessen’s eyes, the national coach wants to play ‘defensive football’, à la Chelsea. “I take my hat off to Mr Tuchel,” said Van Gaal.
“Someone sent it to me,” Tuchel laughs in conversation with Sky Sports. “It was a pleasure to play against him when he was coach of Bayern Munich. He has a certain honesty when you are talking to him, or at a press conference. I like that very much.”
“He has the balls to speak out, to say what he thinks. Sometimes it’s not in his favour, but like now it’s good to hear him talk about football. He has inspired so many clubs,” said Tuchel.
But that’s not the only reason Tuchel praises Van Gaal. “Not just because he defended me, which is very nice, but in general. He’s not afraid to make his voice heard. Sometimes me and colleagues think: let’s not speak out, because with it we cause unrest and want to keep the peace. He’s a nice man, I like him.”
According to Louis van Gaal, a 5-3-2 formation does not have to be defensive at all.
“You have no idea at all” pic.twitter.com/m4Qo1545Tp
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) September 6, 2021
