The Dutchman won three Eredivisie titles and the Champions League during his six years as manager but admits financial difficulties forced him to rely on the club's academy



Louis van Gaal has revealed that he paid Finidi George’s £3,000 transfer fee during his time at Ajax.

The Dutchman won three Eredivisie titles and the Champions League during his six-year spell as Ajax manager but also played a key role in bringing Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Edwin van der Sar through to the first team.

Speaking at the LMA annual conference, Van Gaal reflected on his time at Ajax and how he was forced to rely on the club’s academy for success.

“We didn’t have any money and we were bankrupt, so I had to look to youth,” the Manchester United boss told The Daily Telegraph.

“We scouted [Jari] Litmanen, a Finnish player, who we bought for £10,000. We also bought Finidi George. He was a Nigerian international. He was £3,000. I paid it by myself! And then, we bought Marc Overmars.

“But the names that you do remember are Seedorf, Kluivert, [Michael] Reiziger. We won everything with very attacking football. I don’t say it too much because otherwise Mr Scholes will be very angry!”

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/11/18/17461212/van-gaal-reveals-he-paid-for-a-players-transfer-fee-at-ajax?ICID=HP_TS_5

efilefun:
The Dutchman won three Eredivisie titles and the Champions League during his six years as manager but admits financial difficulties forced him to rely on the club's academy



Louis van Gaal has revealed that he paid Finidi George’s £3,000 transfer fee during his time at Ajax.

The Dutchman won three Eredivisie titles and the Champions League during his six-year spell as Ajax manager but also played a key role in bringing Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Edwin van der Sar through to the first team.

Speaking at the LMA annual conference, Van Gaal reflected on his time at Ajax and how he was forced to rely on the club’s academy for success.

“We didn’t have any money and we were bankrupt, so I had to look to youth,” the Manchester United boss told The Daily Telegraph.

“We scouted [Jari] Litmanen, a Finnish player, who we bought for £10,000. We also bought Finidi George. He was a Nigerian international. He was £3,000. I paid it by myself! And then, we bought Marc Overmars.

“But the names that you do remember are Seedorf, Kluivert, [Michael] Reiziger. We won everything with very attacking football. I don’t say it too much because otherwise Mr Scholes will be very angry!”

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/11/18/17461212/van-gaal-reveals-he-paid-for-a-players-transfer-fee-at-ajax?ICID=HP_TS_5

Finidi George was a great player in his days. He was Nigeria's best 7 and one of the best in the world at that time.

hmm