Van Gaal hits out at reporter as he leaps to defence of Chelsea boss Tuchel

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has hit back at a journalist who accused him of adopting Chelsea's defensive tactics.

The Dutchman has taken charge of the national side for a third time and has been accused of utilising a negative philosophy.

Van Gaal saw his side stick four past Montenegro but prior to that they were held by Norway.

Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen has been involved in an exchange with the former Manchester United boss, accusing him of playing in a defensive fashion, which he believes Chelsea also do.

Van Gaal bit back, taking aim at his job role and also claiming he lacks an understanding of how attacking his system can be.

Louis van Gaal has defended his tactics

He said: "You have no idea at all. I'm sorry to say it, but you're just a journalist. You want to implement your vision, but you have no vision in football. You have a vision for the newspaper, fantastic. You attract attention, and so on.

"But with 5-3-2 or 5-2-3 you can attack incredibly well.

"Chelsea show it every time, with different formations. And I take my hat off to Mr Tuchel, because he got in halfway through [last season]."

Chelsea have scored six times this season employing that system and conceded just one, which was a penalty against Liverpool.

Tuchel's system helped the Blues win the Champions League for a second time last term as they beat Manchester City in the final.

"So (in the) Manchester City (versus) Chelsea (match), did you enjoy Chelsea more than Manchester City?" the journalist then asked Van Gaal.

"Yes of course!" said the Dutch coach. "You should read my book, because you probably won't."

Van Gaal was then accused of having differing beliefs today to those he discusses in his book.

To which he responded: "Have you ever heard of evolution? I'm developing too and Memphis (Depay - sitting next to him at the press conference) is developing too. And me at the age of seventy."

Thomas Tuchel's system helped Chelsea win the Champions League earlier this year ( Image:

POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate has also praised the tactics used by the west London outfit amid accusations of negative football.

The England boss hit back against those who felt the Three Lions played too defensively in the Euro 2020 final.

He said recently: "I'm not going to sit and make a big defensive argument, but football isn't just about letting players go and freely do what they want. Chelsea are European champions - they play three ­attacking players and they have a fantastic structure.

"So there are many different ways to play, and we have to get the best of the players we've got and get the balance right."