Louis van Gaal planned virtual reality goggles for Manchester United training – as if real life wasn’t bad enough
Max Reckers, Van Gaal's performance analyst at Old Trafford, told the Soccerex convention in Manchester: "Louis is very open to new technology."
LOUIS VAN GAAL'S Manchester United training sessions were so boring he considered using virtual reality goggles to liven things up.
The Dutchman reduced the once swashbuckling Old Trafford squad to a team of sideways passers and possession-hungry drones which Jose Mourinho is still trying to beat out of them. And if he had hung around any longer Wayne Rooney and Co. would have been watching their sessions through gaming goggles.
The state-of-the-art gadgetry is being honed in LVG's native Holland by Beyond Sports - who's slogan is 'Virtual Reality solutions for professional sports teams'.
Eredivisie side PSV are using the kit and Beyond Sports have a sponsorship deal at AZ Alkmaar.
The company's website says the technology allows users to "Relive real soccer matches from any perspective. Analyse, gain insight, train and improve your game through virtual Reality."
Max Reckers, Van Gaal's performance analyst at Old Trafford, told the Soccerex convention in Manchester:"Louis is very open to new technology. "He’s a very forward-thinking manager.
"The task for the club and coach is to facilitate that to an optimum level. My generation is the last generation with video.
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"‘Everyone younger knows iPads, virtual reality, FIFA... so we have to accept they don’t watch TV the way we did.
"I watched a game for 90 minutes; there’s not a single player who does that anymore. We have to adapt.
"The ones who are good FIFA players have a small advantage with the virtual reality.
"It’s not so much about them being old or young, but the type of personality I think. Some really like to observe themselves, others don’t.
"I didn’t want to be the guy who puts in new technology without the right purpose.
"You have to change to the situation and your players. United have everything, specialists everywhere."
Reckers was also tarred with the boring brush during his time at the club's Carrington training base.
United players grew tired of marathon team meetings and the video analysis sessions when every mistake was highlighted at length.
But the IT boffin has distanced himself from the accusations off dullness, he said: "‘I’m the technologist, I’m not the one presenting that story.
"I’m only making sure the facilities are right. I didn’t feel myself responsible for that."
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