Certain remarks by world sports leaders, and I consider top football coaches in this category, can do a great disservice to the game we love so much. For some mentors winning is not everything in football; it is the only thing.

Van Gaal’s hypocritical statement about the futility and the insignificance of a third placing in the World Cup has not gone down well with true lovers of the game and the millions of Netherlands supporters.

First of all, he had no right to speak on behalf of his players who surely cherished the bronze medals and perhaps a share of the €3 million bonus. Secondly he had no brief to deprive us of another delightful game.

Or was he reluctant to give the sporting Brazilian stars the opportunity to win back their spurs?

Hopefully, he will not carry this unsporting mentality tohis new club, the epitome of sporting ethos.