Louis van Gaal believes Man City financial scandal contributed to Man Utd sacking

Louis van Gaal believes Man City financial scandal contributed to Man Utd sacking Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Manchester City’s financial rule breaches may have contributed directly to his dismissal at Old Trafford in 2016. The Dutchman was sacked after United finished fifth in the Premier League, missing out in Champions League qualification to their neighbours on goal difference. Both Manchester clubs accumulated 66 points, but City’s superior goal difference secured fourth place during Manuel Pellegrini’s final season in charge. Van Gaal now believes the outcome deserves renewed scrutiny after an independent commission found City guilty of more than 100 financial rule breaches. The findings concern alleged financial irregularities between 2009 and 2018, including sponsorship arrangements and accounting practices that the Premier League argued artificially strengthened City’s financial position. Speaking to The Athletic , Van Gaal suggested United’s failure to qualify for Europe’s leading club competition proved decisive in his dismissal. “For me, at the time, that was probably the deciding factor in my dismissal from Manchester United,” he said. The 75-year-old also referred to the ‘consequences and suffering’ that followed his departure. Van Gaal was dismissed shortly after guiding United to victory over Crystal Palace in the 2016 FA Cup final. Despite securing the club’s first major trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, his two-year tenure ended with Jose Mourinho appointed as his successor. The former Netherlands boss has previously criticised how his departure was handled, particularly his deteriorating relationship with then-chief executive Ed Woodward. Asked whether his time at United might have ended differently in a fair competition, Van Gaal responded: “That’s for sure.” However, he acknowledged that the latest developments cannot reverse what happened a decade ago. “I cannot turn back history now,” he added. City have appealed against the commission’s findings and continue to dispute the allegations, maintaining that they possess substantial evidence supporting their position . The potential sanctions remain unresolved, and the case has attracted considerable attention because of its implications for previous Premier League seasons. Van Gaal declined to recommend a specific punishment, insisting that the appropriate authorities should determine the consequences. “Ultimately, that will have to be decided by the judge,” he said.