Monday 23 May 2016 20:50, UK
Louis van Gaal has been sacked by Manchester United and is set to be replaced by Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. Here, we look back at the Dutchman's reign in quotes...
"I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are."
Louis van Gaal, upon the announcement that he was the new Manchester United manager, 19 May 2014
"The most important difference is that I am training the players, not in the legs, but in the brain, in brain power."
On his footballing philosophy, 26 July 2014
"I have never had an experience when you lose or draw at home when they are applauding you. They were very important in my first six months."
On the support of the Manchester United fans despite a mixed start for him at the club, 31 December 2014
"I suppose in the end we couldn't cope with long-ball United. It was just thump it forward and see what they could get, and in the end it paid off for them."
Sam Allardyce after his West Ham side drew at Old Trafford, 8 February 2015
"When you have 60 per cent ball possession do you think that you can do that with long balls?"
Van Gaal hits back and produces a four-page dossier which he hands to a journalist and says 'Give that to Big Sam', 10 February 2015
The fans are shouting every week, Louis van Gaal's army! Louis van Gaal's army!
"The fans are shouting every week, Louis van Gaal's army! Louis van Gaal's army!"
On United fans sticking behind him, 10 February 2015
"I cannot change that. I cannot change facts and you know that."
On being questioned on a return of just four goals in the Premier League from Falcao, 9 March 2015
"I have said to you that you are the best fans of the world but I was tonight a little bit disappointed. And I shall say why. I have seen a lady who plays the saxophone fantastically. Give her a big applause!"
At the end of season awards at Manchester United, 19 May 2015
"I hope that we succeed but still we have to be aware that it's not like it's a piece of cake."
After securing Champions League qualification, 25 May 2015
"When you are not willing to follow the principles of the philosophy, then there is only one way and that is out."
On Victor Valdes' refusal to play for United's reserves, 15 July 2015
Last year the third captain was Mr. Mike Smalling. Sorry, I mean Chris Smalling.
"That's my philosophy, the players have to accept the captain - the first captain is Wayne Rooney, the second captain is Michael Carrick and last year the third captain was Mr Mike Smalling. Sorry, I mean Chris Smalling."
The boss drops a clanger at a pre-season press conference, 21 July 2015
"For me, Liverpool is a fantastic club. Because I have won every game against Liverpool."
Van Gaal gloats after beating Liverpool 3-1, 12 September 2015
"In the consistency, he has surprised me, but in terms of his ability, no. Because we have known already for a long time he can do it."
On Anthony Martial's form after people questioned his high transfer fee, 23 October 2015
"You have an expression in England and it is, 'Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me'. It is a fantastic expression. Why is he saying something? Because of the benefit of the club, or the benefit of himself?"
On Paul Scholes' criticism of his United side, October 30 2015
"Of course I heard that, I'm not deaf. That's the opinion of the fans but afterwards they shall not be disappointed."
On fans booing after United beat CSKA Moscow 1-0, 3 November 2015
"I don't have any problems with players but sometimes they are out of the team because their competitor is in that moment in a better shape, but that doesn't mean that I have a quarrel with the player. It's a matter of form."
On Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard being preferred to Memphis Depay, 21 November 2015
"When you see the facts, we went further in the Capital One Cup [than last season] and qualified for the Champions League group stage."
After Manchester United lost 3-2 to Wolfsburg in the Champions League, 8 December 2015
I don't want to finish my career with the club sacking me.
"The pressure was higher when I was starting out as a manager because I had more to lose then but, no, that doesn't affect my hunger or desire now because I don't want to finish my career with the club sacking me."
On speculation his job is under threat, 19 December 2015
"Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That's what I am wondering. I think I was already sacked, I have read. Or have been sacked."
LVG ironically wishes the media Merry Christmas and tells them to "enjoy their wine and a mince pie", on December 23, 2015
"It is not always...the club has to fire or sack me. Sometimes I do it by myself."
Sparking speculation he was about to resign following defeat at Stoke, December 26, 2015
There are matches that I have enjoyed and there are also matches where I'm very bored.
"There are matches that I have enjoyed and there are also matches where I'm very bored or angry because we are not disorganising our opponent's defence, but that is football."
On being 'bored' at United's football, 11 January 2016
"We don't speak about Wayne Rooney, you have criticised him. I don't - you! [pointing at journalist Neil Custis] You too, fat man!"
Van Gaal brands a journalist a "fat man" before walking out of a press conference, 13 January 2016
"To beat Liverpool is always important. Today it was important because our competitors lost points and when the gap [at the top] is like this we can overturn that. That is what I'm thinking."
Refusing to rule out a title challenge after victory at Liverpool moves them seven points behind leaders Arsenal, 17 January 2016
"You cannot say that they are not right. They are right and of course they are disappointed and they have the right to boo me. You know it was not good today. I'm very disappointed that I cannot reach the expectations of the fans. They have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that."
On supporters' reaction to a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton, 23 January 2016
The fans have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that.
"My wife is at home after returning from the Netherlands and the wine is already open. It is probably the most expensive bottle of wine because I have received that from Ed Woodward. I always get expensive wine when we beat an opponent from the top six and we beat Liverpool. I don't get any wine tonight for beating Derby, I only get it when I beat a club out of the top six in the Premier League!"
Preparing to celebrate an FA Cup win over Derby, 29 January 2016
"The word desire is fantastic. We need desire, hunger and a lot of times I use the word horny to my players."
Speaking ahead of United's Europa League last-32 second-leg with Midtjylland. "Like you," Juan Mata told laughing reporters when asked how the players responded to such comments from their manager. "We react like you do!" 24 February 2016
"Expectations can be too high. Our purpose was to reach the top three because we wanted to do a bit better than last year. Yes [we have fallen below expectations], but then you have to analyse the circumstances, how I have to work. I am never feeling that I am under pressure. I do what I have to do."
LVG concedes his side have failed to meet expectations ahead of a Manchester derby victory, 18 March 2016
Shall I grab your hair? What is your reaction, when I grab your hair?
"When you look at what Huth is doing with Fellaini, that's a penalty. Shall I grab your hair? What is your reaction, when I grab your hair? Your hair is much shorter than Fellaini, but when I do that, what are you doing then? I think that's a normal reaction. You have to first pick Huth, because he was the guy who grabbed the hair of Fellaini. I think the reaction of Fellaini is like a human being."
Defending his midfielder Marouane Fellaini after the player attempted to elbow Leicester defender Robert Huth, 2 May 2016
"I am very arrogant. I am one of the best managers of the world."
Insisting his faith in his ability hasn't been shaken by the constant press speculation about his future, 3 May 2016
"Of course this is a missed opportunity, you could imagine how thrilled the players and fans and the coach also would have been in this situation. We have to cope with it and at the end we lost 3-2 so we have missed an opportunity."
Reflecting on a 3-2 defeat at West Ham, which left Man City needing only a draw to seal a fourth-place finish ahead of United.
"Of course [I understand the boos], because I have also said that the expectation is very high, especially the fans. They are expecting a lot. But I think these expectations are much too high, and we are a team in transition, and that I have said when I started here.
On being booed by United fans after their final Premier League game of the season, 17 May 2016
"I show you the cup and I don't discuss that [my future] with my friends in the media, who have already sacked me for six months."
In his post-match press conference after winning the FA Cup, Van Gaal refuses to discuss his future as Manchester United manager, as news breaks Jose Mourinho's agent will be discussing a deal with the club in the coming days.
"No, no - it's over."
A short response to Sky Sports News HQ's James Cooper the day after Manchester United's FA Cup win
