It is 15 years since Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal got his hands on the Champions League trophy for the first and so far only time.
That golden moment came when Ajax, the team he led to both European and domestic glory during a heady seven-year tenure, beat AC Milan 1-0 thanks to an 85th-minute goal from Patrick Kluivert.
On Tuesday, the 58-year-old Van Gaal will move a step closer to reliving those glory years of the 1990s if his Bundesliga leaders see off Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
"Bayern are a top European club, one of the best run clubs on and off the field that I've seen in professional football," he said. "And you need a big-time manager who can handle big-time players."
That ability to handle star players was displayed in the first leg victory against Lyon after the architect of their run, Arjen Robben, stormed off after being substituted. Rather than trying to placate his countryman, Van Gaal let him know in no uncertain terms that his behaviour was unacceptable.
"He's come here with a very good reputation and he's doing it his way," added Woodcock. "The players can see that and feel that, and the players have to keep themselves in line."
That golden moment came when Ajax, the team he led to both European and domestic glory during a heady seven-year tenure, beat AC Milan 1-0 thanks to an 85th-minute goal from Patrick Kluivert.
On Tuesday, the 58-year-old Van Gaal will move a step closer to reliving those glory years of the 1990s if his Bundesliga leaders see off Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
"Bayern are a top European club, one of the best run clubs on and off the field that I've seen in professional football," he said. "And you need a big-time manager who can handle big-time players."
That ability to handle star players was displayed in the first leg victory against Lyon after the architect of their run, Arjen Robben, stormed off after being substituted. Rather than trying to placate his countryman, Van Gaal let him know in no uncertain terms that his behaviour was unacceptable.
"He's come here with a very good reputation and he's doing it his way," added Woodcock. "The players can see that and feel that, and the players have to keep themselves in line."
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