Louis van Gaal won the double with FC Bayern in 2009/10, but the Dutchman was unable to create the era of success he had hoped for in Munich. Nevertheless, his work left a deep mark on the German record champions – and apparently pushed the players to their limits.
After FC Bayern failed in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup against FC Schalke 04 and in the round of 16 of the Champions League against Inter Milan in the 2010/11 season, a 1-1 draw at 1. FC Nürnberg was the final straw. The Munich team pulled the ripcord and parted ways with star coach Louis van Gaal. A decision that some players may have found to be a relief.
“His analyzes were respectful and not insulting, but so harsh that one or two players even cried,” says former national player Christian Nerlinger, who was then the sports director in Munich, outlining the work of the “tulip general” in an interview with “kicker”.
“Deficits were pointed out mercilessly, every bad pass was discussed.” This style intimidated some players so much that they hardly dared to take risks anymore, “because the players were afraid that the bad passes would be dissected the next day,” Nerlinger continued.
Van Gaal had “enormous” importance for FC Bayern
In principle, van Gaal “always showed the highest regard” for the club management around Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, but there were still “points of friction” because the Dutchman demanded sole say on sporting issues. “His way was: Take me as I am or not! His manner was rough, but very clear. He exerted a brutal amount of pressure just with his insane presence,” Nerlinger sums it up.
For van Gaal, the players were more than just what they did on the pitch. “The person behind the player was incredibly important to him. But he knew: I am stressful for the players and cost them a lot of energy,” said Nerlinger. Even though his time at FC Bayern was ultimately short, the starting coach had “enormous” importance for later successes and created the “foundation” for them.