LOUIS VAN GAAL has revealed that Daniel Levy fled his house in a car BOOT back in 2014, after the pair had held talks over the vacant Tottenham job.
The Spurs chairman was hoping to avoid the prying eyes of a local journalist.
Levy was keen to secure van Gaal as Tim Sherwood’s successorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Dutchman joined Man United instead after negotiations took ‘too long’Credit: PA:Press Association
Van Gaal was seen as a leading contender to replace the sacked Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane, but Levy took “too long” to seal the deal.
The 68-year-old revealed: “Daniel Levy went to my house here in Noordwijk and left in the trunk, because Jack van Gelder [a local journalist] was outside.
“It took a long time and he actually gave Manchester United the opportunity to make an offer.”
The Red Devils announced the appointment of the Dutchman on May 19, before he lead his country to a thrilling run to the World Cup semi-finals that summer.
His two years at Old Trafford saw him secure fourth and fifth placed finishes in the Premier League.
The second of these seasons also saw van Gaal seal FA Cup glory at Wembley.
But he was sacked less than 48 hours later, to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Van Gaal hasn’t worked in football again since leaving United, announcing his retirement from football last year.
Meanwhile, having been spurned by LVG, Levy moved for Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino, confirming the appointment on May 27.
The Argentine became a heroic figure in N17 over the next five years, securing the club’s highest ever Premier League finish and getting his side playing swashbuckling football.
But he was sacked in November last year, just six months after taking Spurs to their first ever Champions League final.
Like van Gaal, he too was replaced by Mourinho.
Robin van Persie reveals brutal Man Utd exit after ‘ruthless’ Van Gaal sat striker down and told him ‘you have to go’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
