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SOUTHAMPTON’s Dutch manager Ronald Koeman launched a surprise attack on former colleague and English Premiership rival, Louis van Gaal. After masterminding his side’s victory over Manchester United last month, Koeman has added further tension between the managers.

According to teamtalk.com, Koeman told Dutch television: “When you bring in Van Gaal you bring in quality but you also bring in someone who thinks he knows everything and that will cause clashes.”

Koeman said that van Gaal brings fear to his team.

“When you’ve Van Gaal in charge, it’s a fact that there’s fear in his team and that isn’t always good,” said Koeman.

The Saints manager said: “there’s a big difference between him and me as managers.”

Koeman who was Louis van Gaal’s deputy at Barcelona in 1998 did add that he was learning a lot from the current Manchester United manager,

“The way he handles his players is totally different. I don’t put as much pressure on the shoulders of my players.” said Koeman.

Koeman’s side are neck and neck with van Gaal’s Red Devils in the race to finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification along with Arsenal and Liverpool.

Manchester United are currently in fourth place on the English Premiership table, just one point above Koeman’s Southampton side.

Koeman believes the Dutch FA chose Guus Hiddink to take over from van Gaal as national team coach because Hiddink is a “softer” manager and that is what the team required after van Gaal’s time in charge. — Sport24