London - Louis van Gaal was overlooked for the Belgium job after a preliminary interview because he was deemed to be ‘exhausting’ by the Belgian federation.
It is understood that Belgium held talks with former Manchester United boss Van Gaal as they searched for a successor to Marc Wilmots following the disappointment of the Euro 2016 exit to Wales.
Van Gaal was on an initial long-list that also included Italian Cesare Prandelli, but only Ralf Rangnick, Rudi Garcia and Roberto Martinez made it down to the final short-list and official interview stage.
A preliminary meeting was held between Van Gaal and officials from the federation about the role, which pays an annual salary of £840,000. Van Gaal was asked to outline his vision for the team and Belgian football moving forwards but sources said the board found his philosophy to be ‘draining and exhausting’.
There was a feeling that a talented generation of footballers would not respond to Van Gaal’s methodical and painstaking approach to analysis.
Martinez was asked to dissect Belgium’s defeats by Italy and Wales during Euro 2016 and it is believed he produced a flawless and clean five-point video demonstration of how Belgium needed to improve.
Martinez began his reign with a 2-0 friendly defeat by Spain in Brussels on Thursday evening.
Daily Mail