Franz Beckenbauer has told the Daily Mail that Louis van Gaal would be the “perfect” choice to become the new Manchester United manager because he is one of the best coaches in the world.
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West Germany’s 1974 World Cup-winning captain and 1990 World Cup-winning manager knows the Dutchman, who is the favourite to land the United job, from his two-year spell at Bayern Munich.
Van Gaal was in charge at the Allianz Arena from 2009 until 2011, winning the Bundesliga and reaching the Champions League final in his first season in charge, and former Bayern president Beckenbauer believes he would be the ideal choice for United, who have already interviewed the 62-year-old.
He said: “He would be perfect for Man United because he is an internationally experienced coach and he understands English football.
“I don’t know if it’s a rumour or if they’re really trying to sign him but if they agree with Louis I think it would be a good part of the future. He won a lot of titles so he is experienced and he is ambitious. He has the personality. He has everything.”
Van Gaal has a reputation as a difficult character and Beckenbauer admits his time at Bayern came to an unhappy end, but he added: “If you ask him a stupid question then it can be that his answer is a bit arrogant, but if you treat him with respect then respect comes back to you.
“I like him. He was also very successful with Bayern Munich. In the end there was a little discussion about the way he was handling his job so that’s why they went separate ways but for me he’s one of the best coaches in the world.”
Van Gaal, who is in his second spell in charge of the Netherlands, will leave that job after the World Cup. He has also won league titles in charge of Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Barcelona.