Louis van Gaal has been urged to consider whether Manchester City’s financial case gives him grounds to seek legal advice over the circumstances surrounding his Manchester United dismissal in 2016.
Dutch journalist Sjoerd Mossou raised the argument in his Algemeen Dagblad column following the Premier League verdict against City described in the supplied report.
Van Gaal’s connection comes from the 2015/16 Premier League season. Manchester United finished fifth, level on points with fourth-placed City but missing Champions League qualification on goal difference.
Despite winning the FA Cup, Van Gaal was subsequently dismissed by United.
Mossou believes the latest findings concerning City provide reason to revisit what that fifth-place finish ultimately cost the Dutch manager.
Van Gaal told to speak to lawyer over Manchester United exit
“I wonder if Louis van Gaal has already called his lawyer?” Mossou wrote.
“It has been ten years since he was fired by Manchester United, shortly after the club finished fifth in the league – missing out on a Champions League place on goal difference, of all things.”
City claimed the final Champions League position that season, while United’s failure to finish in the top four formed part of the backdrop to Van Gaal’s departure.
“Louis did win the FA Cup that season, but he narrowly missed the target and had to leave,” Mossou added.
The journalist therefore presents Van Gaal as one of the potential individual victims of City’s alleged financial misconduct, arguing that the consequences extended beyond trophies and league positions.
His comments are an opinion rather than confirmation that Van Gaal has taken legal advice or intends to pursue a claim.
Manchester City appeal remains crucial
The wider situation is also not yet final.
According to the supplied report, the Premier League found Manchester City guilty over financial-rule breaches involving arrangements it characterised as “sham”. City have disputed the outcome and are pursuing an appeal.
That process is significant before drawing conclusions about possible compensation, retrospective sporting consequences or individual legal claims.
Mossou nevertheless believes Van Gaal deserves to examine his position because United missed Champions League qualification specifically to City.
“Let us not forget the unforeseen individual victims in all this: Van Gaal, too, deserves vindication,” he wrote.
Whether that argument could translate into a viable legal case is a separate question. The supplied report provides no indication that Van Gaal himself has begun proceedings against Manchester City or Manchester United.
Key Points
- Sjoerd Mossou has urged Louis van Gaal to consider legal advice following the Manchester City financial verdict.
- Manchester United finished fifth in 2015/16, behind fourth-placed City on goal difference.
- Van Gaal was dismissed despite winning the FA Cup that season.
- Mossou argues the Dutchman could be viewed as an individual victim of the wider situation.
- There is currently no indication that Van Gaal has launched legal action, while Manchester City are appealing the verdict.
What’s Next
Manchester City’s appeal remains the most important next development, as the final outcome could determine the extent of any wider consequences arising from the case.
For Van Gaal, Mossou’s suggestion remains hypothetical. There is nothing in the supplied reporting to establish that the former United manager has contacted lawyers or intends to seek compensation.
If the verdict ultimately stands, however, questions about clubs and individuals who believe they suffered consequences during the relevant period could intensify. Van Gaal’s 2016 dismissal provides one particularly striking example because United missed Champions League qualification to City only on goal difference.
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