Andy Cole: Lack Of Experience In England Not An Issue For Louis van Gaal

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole believes Louis van Gaal's lack of managerial experience in England will not be an issue should he take the helm as expected next week.

United are poised to announce the current Dutch national coach as David Moyes' successor, possibly on Monday, with both parties tight-lipped on a formal date.

Cole, who scored 93 goals in a six-year spell at Old Trafford, said van Gaal's knowledge on European football, accumulated in a 23-year managerial career with Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich and Holland, is more than enough.

"We are hoping this is the one that can bring us success again," Cole said. "He has not managed in England but experience is massive, especially at a football club of United's magnitude.

"He has got the experience of managing at big football clubs. To manage where he has you need something special.

"He has Champions League experience too, knows how to deal with big-name players and has a history of bringing through kids as well."

Next season will be United's first outside the Champions League since 1996 - a competition they won twice under previous boss Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999 and 2008.

And Cole still cannot quite believe the disastrous season they have had, finishing seventh in the Premier League - their lowest position since 1990.

"To see us playing the way we played last season was very difficult. It was upsetting and we had to take a bit of flak as well," he added.

"It's crazy that we are in the doldrums, when it's only been one season when we haven't won anything, but that's football.

"We have to bounce back from that and say 'next season is a new season, let's get the show back on the road'."