The karate kick

Louis van Gaal is a sleeper, a troublemaker, a complainer. And because he is obstructionist, troublesome and often complains, he is also so good, as a coach. Louis takes nothing for granted, is irritating in his pursuit of perfection, and thus gets a lot done.

"Am I the one who is so smart, or are you so stupid?" he shouts at journalists who say they don't understand him. And when he thinks the referee in the Champions League final did not blow the whistle for dangerous play by AC Milan, Louis causes an uproar by woodenly imitating a karate kick on the sidelines. Van Gaal argues with the outside world to protect his inner world. He is tough on the outside and soft on the inside. Authoritarian, but not a potentate, he thinks to himself. 'I choose democratic leadership, but ultimately I decide.'