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Louis van Gaal gave me the push says Barcelona's Gerard Piqué
BARCELONA defender Gerard Piqué gave a unique insight into Louis van Gaal's motivational methods when he revealed how the Manchester United coach shoved him to the ground as a young boy and told him he would never be a top footballer.
He said to me, 'You are not tough enough to be a centre back'
Piqué, who has won the World Cup and European Championship with Spain and the Champions League twice with Barcelona, said: "I didn't know him a lot when I was playing at Barcelona as I was really young when he was the coach.
"But he had a really good relationship with my grandfather, who was the vice-president.
"I had the chance to see him one day in my grandfather's house. I was 12 maybe 13 years old, he came to the house and he knew I was playing for Barcelona's young team.
"He pushed me. I fell down on to the floor. And he said to me, 'You are not tough enough to be a centre back'.
"So yes, he really is a really disciplinarian."
But Piqué, 27, who returned to Barcelona in 2008 after four years at Old Trafford, believes Van Gaal is the right man to turn around United's fortunes after a miserable season under David Moyes.
"Van Gaal will do great at United," said Pique. "I think he will do brilliant here."