adminMUNICH. — Franck Ribery says his relationship with Louis van Gaal was “poisoned” at Bayern Munich and claims the current Manchester United coach is a “bad man” who loses players’ trust.Van Gaal took charge of the Bavarians in 2009 but only lasted two years, with Ribery admitting he considered a move while the Dutchman was at the club.
The French winger says that while Van Gaal, who claimed a league and cup double in his first season, can do great things on the pitch, he did not take to him off it.
“We had problems on a human basis,” Ribery told Goal.
‘‘When he started, nobody knew what was going to happen.
“His idea was that he did not care about names at all, you don’t need stars, everybody had to prove themselves again. The first contact with him was already poisoned. As a professional you lose your trust. He does great things on the pitch but the coach Van Gaal was a bad man. Our relationship was crushed.”
Ribery also claimed that Real Madrid tried to sign him in 2009, only to be persuaded to stay in Germany after being told he was as important to Bayern as Lionel Messi was to Barcelona.
As well as the La Liga giants, he admitted Chelsea and Manchester City as well a host of top European clubs were interested in acquiring his services
He added: “It was a burden. Many clubs tried to persuade me to change: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea, Manchester City. You start to think. I made up my mind about where my future should lie. I think that this is human.”
Juventus and Inter Milan are among clubs showing interest in Robin van Persie’s situation at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United striker has been out of the picture during the club’s rise up the table with an ankle ligament injury ruling him out for the past six weeks. He has still managed 10 goals this season but his performances have been under par.
United want to liven up their strike-force in the summer and are looking to bring in two new forwards with Radamel Falcao expected to return to Monaco and Van Persie in danger of becoming a more peripheral figure.
The Holland international turns 32 in August and will have one year left on his contract at the end of this season.
United will talk to him in the summer but would listen to what other clubs have to offer.
Juventus and Inter are admirers and know he could give them a short-term quality option. — Mailonline
Online Reporter