“I don’t hear this a lot.”
There was a touching moment during Louis van Gaal’s press conference when the Netherlands manager invited a young journalist up to give him a hug.
The journalist had made himself known to van Gaal, but instead of asking the usual run of the mill questions about player fitness, opposition tactics or the general mood of the camp, he offered some words of kindness.
“I am a young journalist. I don’t have a question for you. It’s just an opportunity to tell you that I am a big fan of yours, since I was three years old.” stated the reporter.
Louis van Gaal showed love to this young journalist ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IMJiwZWxLX
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 24, 2022
Visibly taken back by the statement of affection, the former Manchester United manager wanted reciprocate with some kindness of his own.
‘I don’t hear this a lot, this is very sweet. I want to give you a hug. Later on you and I will be hugging,” said van Gaal.
True to his word, the 71-year-old sought out the journalist, and embraced him in front of all of his colleagues.
This the second time that the Dutchman has been in charge of his native country at a World Cup, famously guiding them to third place in 2014.
Since then the former Barcelona boss had returned to club football, including the Premier League, but has since returned to manage his country once more.
They got off to a winning start in their opening game winning 2-0 against Senegal thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.
Holland will play Ecuador next, and then take on the the host nation Qatar in their final game of the group stages.
Related links:
- World Cup 2022 Day Five: All the major action and talking points
- FIFA charge Ecuador over fan chants during World Cup opening game
- Soccer’s Nelson Mandela; Joe Brolly questions Roy Keane after World Cup comments
