Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk was left fumbling after media reports suggesting he was the driving force behind a protest by the Dutch squad against the proposed return of manager Louis van Gaal.
Former manager Frank de Boer left his post after the frustrating outcome of Euro 2020 in the hands of the Czech Republic in the 16s, and Van Gaal has been suggested as a possible replacement after being convinced to retire.
Van Gaal can retire / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
It’s all well and good, but The Mirror gave us some drama by claiming that Van Dijk had tried to fight the nomination and made a scene with Georginio Wijnaldum in an attempt to block Van Gaal’s move.
Well, the story found its way to Van Dijk, and the Liverpool man was not impressed.
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July 13, 2021
“This story is completely false,” he wrote on Twitter. “It has never been more important for journalists to tell the truth and not just make things up. Shame on you.”
The drama lasted just over an hour, but social media still gets a good laugh out of it all now.
Whether Van Gaal will actually return to the Netherlands is unclear. He was convinced he had retired after leaving Manchester United in 2016, but has since changed the tune and left the door open to return to his country.
“I have been in contact with [Van Gaal]”, Said NOS journalists Arno Vermeulen 2020.” He says “If they approach me I will seriously think about it”. He actually opens the door and is one of the candidates to become national coach. “
This story is completely false. It has never been more important for journalists to tell the truth and not just make things up. Shame on you Mr. @MullockSMirror https://t.co/aYRDvqSk21
– Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) July 17, 2021
He had been tipped to take over from Ronald Koeman last year after the recent move to Barcelona, and rumors have returned after De Boers’ departure this time.
Van Gaal has spent two separate spells with the Dutch team. He fought between 2000 and 2002 and failed to qualify for the World Cup, but led Oranje to third in the 2014 World Cup in his second enchanting change.
