Louis Van Gaal Biography Alleges 'Disgraceful' Treatment of Wife Truus
A new biography of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal—described as a "journey into the sinister recesses" of the Dutchman's personality by author Hugo Borst—has detailed the 63-year-old's alleged mistreatment of his wife.
The Times (subscription required) posted a serialisation of O, Louis: In Search Of Louis van Gaal online, which details claims of Van Gaal's "disgraceful" treatment of Truus, his spouse. Borst suggests this part of the couple's relationship "really set my teeth on edge," and that interviews with associates—all of whom "decline to be mentioned"—reiterated his feeling of unease.
Borst's personal comments were reported in the aforementioned article:
"Having spoken to at least half a dozen people off the record, all of whom furnished me with a detailed account of these excruciating scenes, I know all I need to know. The common thread running through all these accounts is humiliation. In the company of friends and acquaintances, Louis has made comments that in nine out of ten marriages would have been grounds for divorce.
"
The author continued by admitting, "I have also spoken to friends and acquaintances of Louis and Truus who say they are not aware of any of this. Others have told me they don’t feel the need to comment."
He says alcohol "does not have a favourable effect" on the Red Devils boss, providing an anecdote to back up his statement, as reported by The Times:
"We drink the wine that Louis van Gaal has selected for us. “Good, eh?” he says and fires me a penetrating look. “Or don’t you think so? Well?”
"
“Absolutely. Really nice, Louis.”
Since his stint at Barcelona, he has developed a nose for wine and he likes to have this confirmed.
“Louis always chooses wonderful wines,” says Truus.
“That’s very true,” says Van Gaal.
“That other one is really lovely too,” Truus adds.
“What do you mean that other one?” Van Gaal shoots back. “That’s no good to anyone, Truus. When are you going to learn? You’ve got to name names. There are wines by the thousand. Was it white or red?”
“Never mind,” she says and raises her glass.
“Am I right or not? Well, Truus?”
“I’ve forgotten what it was called,” she sighs. “Just leave it, will you?”
Borst's claims perhaps offer insight into a man who Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently described as having a "huge ego," as reported by Spiegel (h/t the Press Association and via Eurosport).
He is undoubtedly an individual who runs football clubs with his own specific vision, as we've seen with the implementation of his "philosophy" at Manchester United.
The experienced manager's single-minded approach has yielded plenty of silverware over the years—including the Champions League, UEFA Cup and divisional titles in Spain, the Netherlands and Germany—but he doesn't always leave clubs in the highest regard.
His "abrasive personality" produced an extremely poor relationship with the local press during his time with Barcelona, detailed by talkSPORT.
Van Gaal branded himself "self-confident, arrogant, dominant, honest, industrious (and) innovative" upon his Bayern arrival. This has shone through since the start of the season with United, which has seen him instill a poor three-at-the-back system before switching things up after poor results.
He has proven "industrious" by utilising many of the squad's younger talents, but it's fair to say United's slew of injuries has played his hand somewhat.
Van Gaal is never afraid to speak his mind and seemingly remains an authoritative figure in all walks of life. Former Bayern star Luca Toni revealed the manager once lowered his trousers to show "he had the balls" to drop any player, while various television outbursts have been captured over the years, as highlighted below:
Borst's claims are perhaps the greatest indication of Van Gaal's self-confidence; if the Dutchman agreed for such personal descriptions to be published, he obviously doesn't mind what criticism is launched his way. Truus admitted as much shortly after the couple's arrival in England.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League, two points off the coveted Champions League spots. Van Gaal's side have posted an inconsistent run of performances, but they will take heart from losing just one of their last six. Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News recently graded the manager's new signings for B/R UK:
If European football is to be restored, however, the tinkering manager needs to quickly find his best formation and starting 11.
Van Gaal has never offered anything other than complete confidence that he will return United to their former glory, underlining a man who lives and dies by his single-minded career decisions. A response to Borst's book would provide Van Gaal with an opportunity to confirm or deny the author's allegations in his own unique manner.
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