BT Sport pundit, Rio Ferdinand
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Van Gaal doubts Ferdinand suitablity for Manchester United technical director role

Louis van Gaal has questioned Rio Ferdinand’s suitability as a technical director with the former Manchester United defender linked with taking the role at his former side.

Manchester United are believed to be keen to appoint a technical director as they restructure the hierarchy at Old Trafford, in a bid to revamp the clubs fortunes in the transfer market, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward currently overseeing transfer dealings.

Asked what he thinks it takes to be a ‘perfect’ technical director, former United boss Louis van Gaal told The Guardian that the candidate should have a wealth of experience.

“First of all you need knowledge of the game, methods of training, preparation experience, youth education, scouting and you have to think in structures,” van Gaal said.

“So you need a lot of experience in the football world. When you are in your profession as a technical director, you have developed a name, then you have a big network and you can always make use of that network.”

Ferdinand, alongside fellow former United star Darren Fletcher, have been linked with the position, however, Van Gaal believes appointing a candidate with links to the club is not necessarily the right move.

“As a good player, you’re not a good manager or you’re not a good technical director. It’s more or less what is happening now with Solskjær, ex-players, old boys’ network. It’s not always a good choice. It can be but it’s not always a good choice.”

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