bye, hello?

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Answers

apparently prostrate

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

I watched the entire press conference live on TV. Gripping, toe- curling stuff; an immensely proud man fighting to retain his sense of dignity in front of various journalists he clearly despises.

Van Gaal was highly emotional, frequently on the verge of tears, frog in the throat, as he sought to explain his premature departure and why the Netherlands failed so badly to qualify for the World Cup.

His voice increased in volume until he was simply shouting, at one point the Dutch FA chief sat next to him tried to calm him "you don't have to speak so loudly".

Being Van Gaal he couldn't help but take massive swipes at the media with whom he has always had a difficult relationship. He also had a few barbed words for the players who he felt had lacked commitment.

He said he wishes to return to club management and I suspect he'll have no shortage of offers. A complex driven man, a workaholic, but arrogant (cf Gullit) in a way that has caused him serious problems in Barcelona and the national team.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001