Hristo Stoichkov hits out at Van Gaal, calling ex-Man United boss a d***head

Legendary Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has launched a stinging attack on former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

Stoichkov played for Van Gaal at the Spanish giants before joining CSKA Sofia in 1998 and blames him for damaging the careers of 'many' in the game, including Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme.

Stoichkov told Radio Impacto: 'Why didn't Riquelme triumph at Barca? Because he had a d***head like Van Gaal as his coach. It's clear, isn't it?'

'He did good things that must be recognised but many have suffered in football due to his silly things.

'He did not succeed because of the way Van Gaal put him on the field. But even so, the first year in Barcelona he also enjoyed a lot.

'I enjoyed his goals, passes, plays, stepovers, but when one comes who wants to invent one thing from something else, it's impossible.'

Van Gaal won La Liga twice during his first spell at Barcelona but became known for his defensive style later in his career and only won the FA Cup during his two years at Manchester United.

The Dutchman described Riquelme as 'a political signing' when he joined Barcelona for around £10million in 2002, making only 30 appearances in three years.

Stoichkov was known as one of the best strikers in the world but only scored seven goals for the club after re-signing from Parma in 1996 and repeatedly fell out with Van Gaal.

'I suffered him,' said Stoichkov, who won four consecutive Liga titles under Johan Cruyff between 1990 and 1995.