Good old Louis.
Although Manchester United fans are understandably ecstatic about the long-awaited appointment of Jose Mourinho as their new manager, their feelings towards Louis van Gaal seem to have softened markedly over the last week or so.
We are delighted to announce Jose Mourinho is our new manager! Full statement: https://t.co/PDiHMIWnpd #WelcomeJose pic.twitter.com/eZ8NBSz2up
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 27, 2016
The sentiment is hardly one of regret; nor do they wistfully wish that he was still in charge at Old Trafford.
It is more an acknowledgement that despite his failings and apparent unsuitability for the top job at United, he is nevertheless a thoroughly likeable character who tried his best. In the end, it just wasn’t quite working and nobody was happy.
Reds’ fans can start appreciating his colourful personality rather than his dreary tactics, and the man himself is freed from constant scrutiny and never-ending rumours about his future.
He certainly looks well to be away from the Old Trafford media circus judging from a snap that was taken in Portugal on Friday.
On the same day that Mourinho was officially unveiled at his old club, Van Gaal and his wife Truus were spotted enjoyed a nice meal by the sea in the beautiful sunshine of the Algarve, where the couple have a holiday home.
Many United fans will pleased to see their former trainer-coach in such pleasant surroundings after a week in which he had to endure an unedifying loss of face.
God bless Louis!
