'Riquelme failed at Barcelona because of the imbecile Van Gaal'

Hristo Stoichkov has claimed that Louis van Gaal was the reason why Juan Roman Riquelme didn't lived up to expectations at Barcelona.

The Argentine arrived at the Camp Nou from Boca Juniors in 2002 to lots of excitement, but he left on loan to Villarreal just a year later.

On Corboba's Radio Impacto, Stoichkov was asked the question: Why did Riquelme not succeed at Barcelona?

"Because he had an imbecile like Van Gaal as coach. That's clear, right," the former Barcelona striker answered.

"He didn't succeed because of how [Van Gaal] played him on the pitch.

"Riquelme had a fantastic career in football, especially at Villarreal, but he also enjoyed his first season at Barcelona a lot.

"I enjoyed his goals, his passes, his plays and his tricks, but when one wants to turn a grape into an apple, it's impossible."

Stoichkov had his own problems with Van Gaal at the Camp Nou as well.

"I suffered [under him]," the Bulgarian said.

"When he came into the dressing room and said that there was a lot of 'Cruyffism'.

"Well, there's Johan Cruyff and there's you. There was a big difference."