Soccer

Swansea director called Louis van Gaal an ‘arrogant bastard’

Club to deal with director John van Zenden who made jibe at Manchester United boss

Swansea City are to deal with one of their directors, John van Zenden, who labelled Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal an ‘arrogant bastard’. (Photograph: Reuters / Rebecca Naden)
Swansea City are to deal with one of their directors, John van Zenden, who labelled Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal an ‘arrogant bastard’. (Photograph: Reuters / Rebecca Naden)
Jamie Jackson
Tue Feb 24 2015 - 16:17

Swansea City have distanced themselves from their director, John van Zwenden, with the chairman, Huw Jenkins, stating he will be "dealt with internally and appropriately" if found to have damaged the club after reportedly branding Louis van Gaal "an arrogant bastard".

On Saturday the Swans completed a Premier League double by defeating Manchester United 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium. Before the game the United manager pointed to the run of one loss in 19 games as evidence that his team were the best in the Premier League in terms of results. Van Zweden described Van Gaal as an "arrogant bastard" to a Dutch TV crew, according to reports.

On Tuesday afternoon Jenkins issued a statement that said: “We are aware of the comments and we are currently dealing with the matter. It is disappointing that one of our directors has apparently made a statement in the media in relation to a manager of another football club.

“Our football club prides itself on having a good working relationship with all Premier League clubs, managers and staff. We feel we have built up that good relationship over a number of years and will continue to work hard to preserve our image within the Premier League and the game in general at all costs.

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“If any of our directors behave in an inappropriate and unprofessional manner not befitting this football club then they will be dealt with internally and appropriately.”

Swansea’s ownership models allows fan to by into the club and Van Zwenden retains a 5% share.

After Garry Monk’s side beat United 2-1 to follow up their win by the same score at Old Trafford in August, Van Zweden went on Twitter to air his view of Van Gaal. Van Zweden, who made his money in wallpaper and has been a Swans director since 2002, tweeted of his Dutch compatriot: “Dear #louisvangaal It’s not easy to beat @SwansOfficial and The wallpaperking !!! Wynd Street now !!!”

He also taunted United’s Dutcho duo Robin van Persie and Daley Blind and referenced Den Haag’s win over Zwolle in the Dutch first division. “Great. First The double over #louisvangaal #vanpersie and @BlindDaley and also another @ADODenHaag win. What a beautiful da! @SwansOfficial.”

Van Zweden was being followed by a Dutch TV crew during Saturday’s match at the Liberty Stadium for a documentary which is to be aired in the Netherlands on Thursday.