ManCity scandal makes Van Gaal's United dismissal irreversible

On a cold evening in Manchester, Louis van Gaal looked back at the 2015‑2016 season, when Manchester United finished fifth and just missed a Champions‑League ticket. He now draws a direct link between that dismissal and the financial scandal that later emerged at Manchester City.

Dismissal and the role of the Premier League

The Dutch top coach lost his job in 2016 after United, despite an FA‑Cup victory, finished fifth behind city rival Manchester City. By finishing fifth in the Premier League – with as many points as City but a lower goal difference – United narrowly missed a Champions‑League ticket.

City scandal and the consequences

The investigation has shown that Manchester City from 2009 to 2018 systematically breached the Premier League's financial rules, resulting in as many as 114 charges. The club now faces a heavy penalty, although the exact sanction has yet to be determined.

Van Gaal, who was coach of Manchester United from 2014 through 2016, gave comment via e‑mail to The Athletic. He said: “For me, missing the Champions League in 2016 was probably the decisive factor in my dismissal at Manchester United and all the consequences and suffering that it brought.”

Van Gaal attributes his dismissal to Manchester City fraud

He added that he can no longer look back and rewrite history, even with the intervention of the English football association. “In the end, the judge will have to decide on that,” Van Gaal said.

The 75‑year‑old coach emphasized that he has no opinion on what punishment Manchester City deserves. His focus is on the fact that a fairer competition might have produced a different final result for United.

Manchester City face points deduction as Van Gaal demands justice

In a personal blog two weeks ago, Sjoerd Mossou wrote: “Prosecute Manchester City to the end, Louis.” The remark underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding the scandal.