"Maybe you dnt know that I am always a
controversial person and a lot has written about
that, but I (have) an iron shield," the United
boss said.
"It's been like that since I came to England.
"Everyone can write or speak about me and I
cannot change that.
"It took a long time for me to understand but I
cannot change that.
"I have learned not to react and to believe in
myself, my players and staff. That's important."
Mourinho, who worked under Van Gaal at
Barcelona for three years, employs a different
tactic when it comes to criticism, often taking
his enemies on in public spats.
Just last season he branded Arsene Wenger a
"specialist in failure" for his lack of success at
Arsenal.
Van Gaal refuses to go down the same route as
his former assistant though.
"Every human being reacts, as I have said, in his
own way and you have to ask him why he
reacts like he does, not me," Van Gaal added.
"We hardly speak to each other. Sometimes on
SMS."
Van Gaal, perhaps sensing his words could be
seen as an attack on Mourinho, quickly
reminded the gathered media at his pre-match
press conference that his relationship with
Mourinho is still very strong.
"When we see each other, we feel the warmth
between us and our families, which is nice," Van
Gaal said.
With Mourinho by his side, Van Gaal won two
Primera Division titles and the Copa del Rey
during his first term at Barca.
Mourinho has since forged a hugely successful
career of his own which has yielded an
astounding 20 trophies to date.
The Portuguese often credits a lot of his
success to Van Gaal and his other mentor Sir
Bobby Robson, but the Manchester United
manager thinks the main reason behind
Mourinho's success is the man himself.
''He talks about Louis van Gaal and also Bobby
Robson, and I appreciate that, but you always
do it by yourself,'' Van Gaal said.
"It's good that Jose Mourinho's eyes were very
open when he was my assistant, but you do it
by yourself.''
Mourinho has riled many leading figures in
football, whether it be in Portugal, Italy, Spain
or England.
The 51-year-old has been viewed as a
somewhat arrogant figure ever since he
proclaimed himself the 'Special One' when he
arrived at Chelsea 10 years ago, so it was with
some surprise that Van Gaal chose to describe
Mourinho as ''modest'' on Friday.
''He's such a wonderful coach,'' Van Gaal added.
''And to see that he's been a champion in
different countries is fantastic.
''He is a very modest and emotional human
being, and I like that.
''He's very special but he is very special for me
because I've worked with him and we've
continued our relationship, which in the football
world is not always normal. That's nice.''
Chelsea haven't lost to Man Utd in the Premier
League in a while. Credit: PA
Van Gaal has warned Mourinho he will not be
able to walk away with three points on Sunday
without at fight though.
"It is logical that he is further (along) with his
team than I am with Manchester United. But
nevertheless we can win on Sunday," Van Gaal
said.
The Dutchman will need to see an improvement
from his compatriot Robin van Persie if United
are to breach a defence that has only conceded
eight times in the league so far this season.
Van Persie has found the net just twice this
term, but Van Gaal is sure the former Arsenal
striker will rediscover the kind of form that saw
him bag four goals at the World Cup.
When asked whether Van Persie was on the
decline as a footballer, Van Gaal said: "No, he
has showed that at the World Championship
and he is showing it now except for scoring
goals, but it's only a matter of time.
"But with his self-confidence, I expect that he
will score and maybe against Chelsea."
controversial person and a lot has written about
that, but I (have) an iron shield," the United
boss said.
"It's been like that since I came to England.
"Everyone can write or speak about me and I
cannot change that.
"It took a long time for me to understand but I
cannot change that.
"I have learned not to react and to believe in
myself, my players and staff. That's important."
Mourinho, who worked under Van Gaal at
Barcelona for three years, employs a different
tactic when it comes to criticism, often taking
his enemies on in public spats.
Just last season he branded Arsene Wenger a
"specialist in failure" for his lack of success at
Arsenal.
Van Gaal refuses to go down the same route as
his former assistant though.
"Every human being reacts, as I have said, in his
own way and you have to ask him why he
reacts like he does, not me," Van Gaal added.
"We hardly speak to each other. Sometimes on
SMS."
Van Gaal, perhaps sensing his words could be
seen as an attack on Mourinho, quickly
reminded the gathered media at his pre-match
press conference that his relationship with
Mourinho is still very strong.
"When we see each other, we feel the warmth
between us and our families, which is nice," Van
Gaal said.
With Mourinho by his side, Van Gaal won two
Primera Division titles and the Copa del Rey
during his first term at Barca.
Mourinho has since forged a hugely successful
career of his own which has yielded an
astounding 20 trophies to date.
The Portuguese often credits a lot of his
success to Van Gaal and his other mentor Sir
Bobby Robson, but the Manchester United
manager thinks the main reason behind
Mourinho's success is the man himself.
''He talks about Louis van Gaal and also Bobby
Robson, and I appreciate that, but you always
do it by yourself,'' Van Gaal said.
"It's good that Jose Mourinho's eyes were very
open when he was my assistant, but you do it
by yourself.''
Mourinho has riled many leading figures in
football, whether it be in Portugal, Italy, Spain
or England.
The 51-year-old has been viewed as a
somewhat arrogant figure ever since he
proclaimed himself the 'Special One' when he
arrived at Chelsea 10 years ago, so it was with
some surprise that Van Gaal chose to describe
Mourinho as ''modest'' on Friday.
''He's such a wonderful coach,'' Van Gaal added.
''And to see that he's been a champion in
different countries is fantastic.
''He is a very modest and emotional human
being, and I like that.
''He's very special but he is very special for me
because I've worked with him and we've
continued our relationship, which in the football
world is not always normal. That's nice.''
Chelsea haven't lost to Man Utd in the Premier
League in a while. Credit: PA
Van Gaal has warned Mourinho he will not be
able to walk away with three points on Sunday
without at fight though.
"It is logical that he is further (along) with his
team than I am with Manchester United. But
nevertheless we can win on Sunday," Van Gaal
said.
The Dutchman will need to see an improvement
from his compatriot Robin van Persie if United
are to breach a defence that has only conceded
eight times in the league so far this season.
Van Persie has found the net just twice this
term, but Van Gaal is sure the former Arsenal
striker will rediscover the kind of form that saw
him bag four goals at the World Cup.
When asked whether Van Persie was on the
decline as a footballer, Van Gaal said: "No, he
has showed that at the World Championship
and he is showing it now except for scoring
goals, but it's only a matter of time.
"But with his self-confidence, I expect that he
will score and maybe against Chelsea."
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