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Louis van Gaal’s status as the super-coach whose final act was to lead Manchester United to FA Cup glory last season has been destroyed — by his own sidekick.

Albert Stuivenberg worked under manager Van Gaal as a coach with the Dutch national team, and then joined him at Old Trafford for his controversial two years in charge.

And Stuivenberg has lifted the lid on the eyebrow-raising division of labour at United.

He explained: “The role Louis gave me at Old Trafford was unique. It was extraordinary that he gave me so much responsibility. He gave me his complete trust.

(Image: Man Utd/Getty) (Image: Man Utd/Getty)

“At United, I was doing the training sessions for the selected first team before games. I was fully in charge.

“I was doing all the pre-match team talks, and I did the post-match talk with the team and individual players.”

Van Gaal revelled in being seen as King Louis, one of world football’s greatest brains.

But Stuivenberg’s revelations fly in the face of the general consensus that the 65-year-old was a control-freak intent on micro-managing his team’s tactical approach.

Stuivenberg is now head coach of Belgian club Genk, who have reached the last 16 of the Europa League.

They now face Belgian rivals Gent — who shocked Spurs in the last-32 — and Stuivenberg has set his sights on facing the club that axed him later in the competition.

Given he had never previously worked at club level, he appreciated the chance Van Gaal gave him.

Stuivenberg said: “Louis gave me the opportunity to develop myself at the top level and lead in so many ways.

(Image: Man Utd/Getty) (Image: Man Utd/Getty)

“Why do I rate Van Gaal? Because he’s a man who can judge if you have quality or not.

"We had a great rapport when we worked together for the Dutch FA when Louis was national coach and I was coach of the Under-21 side.

“From there, Louis decided to take me to United. I consider that a major compliment, because Van Gaal was someone who had made his mark in the world of international football.”