Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller has revealed that it was ex-Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal who had the biggest influence on his career.
Muller was handed his professional debut at Bayern Munich the season before Louis van Gaal took over at the German club but it was the Dutchman who first decided to hand him a regular role in the side.
The German star ended up playing in every one of Bayern’s 34 league matches in Van Gaal’s first season and hasn’t looked back since, becoming one of the most potent attackers in European football.
Van Gaal may well be remembered most recently for his poor spell in charge at Manchester United, but Muller is in no doubt that the former Ajax boss has had the most influence on his career.
“When we talk my biggest influence I have to say Van Gaal,” Muller told Goal. “He threw me in the deep end.
“I made my debut before he arrived, but he was the one who relied on me more continually.
“For players during our active career, it is always difficult to talk about coaches – whether it is former or a current. It is difficult to say for a player who was the better coach. But I would say that my biggest influence was Louis van Gaal, because I was at the best age to be influenced.”
Muller has, so far, played 365 games in all competitions for the Bayern Munich first-team and scored 155 goals too, with last season’s 32 his best scoring season yet.
The German has won five league titles – his first came under Van Gaal – a Champions League and the World Cup.
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