Manchester United Icon Shocks Gary Neville by Defying Sir Alex Ferguson in Stunning Snub
Ex-Manchester United shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar considers Louis van Gaal the finest coach he worked with during his career, overlooking the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, leaving Gary Neville taken aback.
Van der Sar, who made an appearance on the recent Monday Night Football show as the Red Devils secured a 1–0 victory over Everton, also joined The Overlap's YouTube platform for a "Rapid-fire questions" segment presented by Neville.
The Dutch legend answered casual questions including his preferred film (which remained a mystery!) and selecting the ideal Dutch five-a-side squad, while naming former PSV Eindhoven forward Romário as his most challenging adversary.
The most significant revelation, particularly from Neville's perspective, was Van der Sar's admiration for Van Gaal, with Neville apparently expecting him to choose Ferguson, widely regarded as football's greatest manager of all time.
Van der Sar played six seasons at United under the Scottish manager, yet the 55-year-old holds his fellow countryman in higher esteem.
Van der Sar Rates Van Gaal as Best Manager He Played Under
Van der Sar Rates Van Gaal as Best Manager He Played Under
The format of the segment prevented Van der Sar from elaborating on his respect for Van Gaal, maintaining his stance without hesitation when Neville challenged him by mentioning Ferguson.
While he didn't provide extensive reasoning, Van der Sar's unwavering support for his former Ajax boss has been consistent over time. In 2014, as Man Utd prepared to appoint Van Gaal, he declared to the Daily Mirror that "Louis van Gaal is the finest manager I have ever worked under."
The former goalkeeper naturally holds deep respect for Van Gaal, who gave Van der Sar his first-team Ajax opportunity in 1990. The imposing keeper was guarding the goal when Van Gaal's youthful team secured Champions League triumph in 1995, defeating Fabio Capello's AC Milan 1–0 in the showpiece through Patrick Kluivert's strike.
Van der Sar subsequently struggled during a difficult two-season period with Juventus, but rebuilt his standing in English football, initially at Fulham, then Manchester United. The Red Devils had been searching for a worthy successor to Peter Schmeichel since the turn of the millennium, and Van der Sar wasn't anticipated to provide a permanent solution when he arrived at Old Trafford as a 34-year-old experienced player.
However, he remained Ferguson's first-choice keeper for over six years, earning the Premier League's Golden Glove recognition in 2008–09 and securing four championship medals. His bond with the Scottish manager remained solid during his Manchester tenure, with Van der Sar praising his former United boss, telling BBC Sport in 2011 that Ferguson was "the greatest appointment the club could have made 25 years ago."