Louis
van Gaal has played down his role in Jose Mourinho's development, saying the
Chelsea manager became the Special One all by himself.
The two first met 17 years ago when the Dutchman appointed Mourinho to his
coaching staff at Barcelona, a role he kept for a three-year period in which
the Catalan club won two Primera Division titles and a Copa del Rey.
They will go head to head on Sunday when Manchester United host Chelsea in
Van Gaal’s most difficult assignment yet as Old Trafford boss.
The Blues are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and on
course for another league title to add to Mourinho’s collection, which
currently comprises 20 trophies.
The Portuguese often credits a lot of his success to Van Gaal and his other
mentor Sir Bobby Robson, but the Manchester United manager thinks the main
reason behind Mourinho's success is the man himself.
"He talks about Louis van Gaal and also Bobby Robson, and I appreciate that,
but you always do it by yourself," Van Gaal said.
"I was also an apprentice when I was the assistant coach of Leo Beenhakker
(at Ajax) and it's good that my eyes were also open at that time.
"And it's good that Jose Mourinho's eyes were very open when he was my
assistant, but you do it by yourself."
Mourinho has made a name for himself in English football through his
success, but also through antagonising fellow managers, with the 51-year-old
having a verbal battle with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger last season.
Modest
But Van Gaal chose to describe Mourinho as “modest” and praised his
achievements.
"He's such a wonderful coach," Van Gaal added. "And to see that he's been a
champion in different countries is fantastic.
"He is a very modest and emotional human being, and I like that.
"He's very special but he is very special for me because I've worked with
him and we've continued our relationship, which in the football world is not
always normal. That's nice."
Mourinho has also been known to engage in mind games with his managerial
rivals and this week’s psychology has centred around the fitness and
availability of striker Diego Costa.
The Chelsea boss said he did not expect Costa to start against United when
he spoke after the win over Maribor on Wednesday, but at his pre-match press
conference two days later, he said the striker had a "little chance" of
recovering from his illness to play.
Van Gaal appears to believe the Spain striker, who moved to Stamford Bridge
in a £32million move from Atletico Madrid this summer, will start.
"I think that he [Mourinho] shall play with him when he can because he wants
to win," the Dutchman added.
"Of course he can play maybe because he has trained individually, I have
heard and read (that) on the websites. I also have my eyes always open.
"He's scored nine out of seven - that is remarkable. So he's in good shape,
I think, but he was ill yesterday, so you never know."
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