Robin van Persie won the prize for best goal at the same ceremony…
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is surprised that he won the award for Dutch coach of the year award as he failed to win the World Cup, reports the Goal.com.
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The 63-year-old took the Netherlands to a third placed finish at the tournament, a far higher position than many expected from the team.
The run to bronze position included a number of big managerial decisions that paid off, including subbing off his goalkeeper before a penalty shootout at one time.
He blamed the media for winning it for him, saying, “I’m standing here with mixed feelings,” he said.
“We ended in third place, while there are many Olympic champions and world champions here tonight. Maybe I’ve won this award because of the media.”
Now manager at the Red Devils, the former Barcelona coach was so confused at even being nominated for the accolade that he was unsure whether to actually attend the event where it was given out.
“I wasn’t sure if I should turn up here tonight because footballers usually never win these kind of awards,” he continued.
“But, in the end, I thought that you should always go if you are nominated and now I’m standing here as the winner.”
The national football team were given the award for Team of the Year, and Arjen Robben was crowned Sportsman of the Year.