Wayne Rooney Says Louis Van Gaal Is The Best Coach He's Ever Worked With

Wayne Rooney paid Louis van Gaal the ultimate compliment following his short spell as Manchester United manager.

Van Gaal, who spent two seasons at Old Trafford, led the club to a fourth place finish in his first campaign in charge.

But after struggling for results in the league, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich was sacked from his position, just two days after he won the FA Cup against Crystal Palace.

It was a forgettable stint in charge for the the Dutchman but at least he can say he made a huge impression on former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.

The 33-year-old praised the manager for his tactics and preparation, among other traits.

"Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with - one hundred per cent," Rooney told The Mirror.

"His tactical skills, his way of preparing and his attention to the finest of details, I found amazing. I admired that in him. I had never looked at stuff like that before.

"Van Gaal knows that the way he works is tough for players. I made him aware of that at the time and we talked about this very well together.

"I regret how it all ended, yet I know one thing for sure - I have learnt a lot from him and I am definitely going to use those lessons for when I am a manager."

Rooney spent nine years under Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Old Trafford, where he picked up five Premier League titles, among other prestigious awards.

But clearly Van Gaal's style of coaching connected with the DC United forward.

This isn't the first time Rooney has praised his former boss. In an interview with talkSPORT last year, he revealed that he thinks Van Gaal was the best manager tactically:

"It didn't work for David Moyes and they [Manchester United] then went for the experience of Louis van Gaal.

"He was tactically the best I have worked with - in terms of setting you up in a shape defensively and everyone knowing their roles.

"It was just about getting the attacking side right as well as the defensive side.

"He won a few trophies but it didn't pan out the way everyone would have hoped."

Discussing the appointment of David Moyes after Ferguson's retirement, the former England captain added.

"I think Moyes was a bit of a surprise choice but his record at Everton over ten years was great," the former England captain said.

"He got them into the Champions League, finished top half almost every year and did a fantastic job.

"I think what Manchester United were trying to to do at the time was bring someone in who had longevity in them as a manager."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Louis van Gaal, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Wayne Rooney

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_