Barca legend recalls how Van Gaal would ‘humiliate’ his players

Having lifted the European Cup last May, Xavi will be a mere spectator for this year's Champions League.

As his former club Barcelona prepare for their opener with Roma in Italy, their former captain has been reflecting on his career, with some particularly interesting comments about current Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal. Xavi recalls how the Dutchman would frequently humiliate his players only to shower them with praise soon after. He also indicates that his memories of Van Gaal were mainly positive. "I will remember him all my life, but for better not worse," Xavi is reported as saying on Mail Online. "He was very direct. One day he would bury you and humiliate you in front of the group and the next day he would tell me I was Zidane. That is the way he is and in time it has a positive effect." Now playing out the twilight years of his career in Qatar, it can't be said that Van Gaal had a negative impact on the young Xavi.