The Louis van Gaal era remains a rather funny one in Manchester United’s modern history.
The Dutchman, when on form, was often one of the most affable,magnetic personalities in football. A whirlwind of a man who’s champagne-soaked awards show speeches became the stuff of legend.
But the football. Oh, the football. If Louis van Gaal was pure entertainment as an individual, then his football was a cure for insomnia. Possession without purpose, so few shots and even fewer goals.
And with one of the many managers reportedly under consideration by Manchester United picking up comparisons with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, you can see why when you cast your eye over the numbers.
Like Van Gaal’s Man United side, Francesco Farioli’s OGC Nice outfit operate in a controlled, somewhat safety-first manner. Farioli’s teams in Turkey were always possession-heavy but, in France, a man who idolises Marcelo Bielsa, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta appears to have adopted a more pragmatic streak.
Manchester United linked manager compared to Van Gaal
Nice had the best defensive record in Europe’s major leagues at the start of the season. Flash forward to mid-May, and they have conceded only 27 goals in 33 games. At the other end, however, the Ineos-owned outfit have scored just 38 of their own.
“If there is a trainer he comes very close to, I would compare him with Louis van Gaal,” former Dutch international Jeremain Lens tells ESPN, having worked with Farioli briefly at Fatih Karagumruk in 2021.
“Van Gaal was the trainer during my time at AZ (Alkmaar), when I was 18 and 19. Then there was so much emphasis on playing football from the back. No unnecessary long balls, always looking for the footballing solution.
“If I compare (Farioli to another manager), then with Louis van Gaal.”
Despite Ineos’ obvious admiration – eyebrows were raised when they took a punt last summer on a then-34-year-old coach – Farioli is unlikely in the extreme to end up in the Manchester United hotseat in the coming weeks or months.
His development as a tactician is, however, something Red Devils fans should watch closely. Especially with Farioli expected to follow in the footsteps of both Van Gaal and Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Francesco Farioli leaving Ineos’ Nice for Ajax
According to Mike Verweij, the experienced Eredivisie reporter, Ajax have agreed terms with Farioli. The Dutch giants potentially a stepping stone on the Italian’s route to the top of the European game.
“The way he conveys (his plan) makes you listen to him very carefully. And you also believe it and want to apply it,” adds Lens, dismissing concerns over Farioli’s relative lack of experience.
“I had missed the Dutch ‘football school’ and he brought that back. The football he wanted to introduce was what we are used to in the Netherlands. Playing football from the back, no long balls and always looking for the footballing solution.
“He has authority and personality. The way he delivers (his plans); not shouting, but not whispering either. His way of talking is penetrating, which makes you really listen and become interested.”
