Wayne Rooney recalls awkward Louis van Gaal remark to wife Coleen at players' lunch

Wayne Rooney has recounted an awkward and humorous exchange between his wife, Coleen, and former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal from a players’ lunch during Van Gaal’s tenure at Old Trafford.

On the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United and England forward described the first time Van Gaal met Coleen and quoted the manager’s remark. "He came up to Coleen, first time he had met her, he said 'your children, they look very much like the father', she said 'yeah', he said 'he has very strong sperm'. That was the first time he met her!'" Rooney said, adding that he and his wife took the comment in good humour.

Rooney described Van Gaal as "quite a loud and bubbly character" and said the remark reflected the Dutchman’s blunt, humorous personality. The forward said he "loved him" and called Van Gaal "so funny" while also praising him as a coach, adding that he probably learned more from Van Gaal than from anyone else.

Van Gaal managed Manchester United from 2014 to 2016. Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer, made 79 appearances under Van Gaal, scored 29 goals and was part of the squad that won the 2015-16 FA Cup. Van Gaal named Rooney club captain shortly after his arrival.

Despite the FA Cup triumph, Van Gaal was dismissed two days after the final at Wembley, when United finished fifth in the Premier League and missed out on Champions League qualification. Rooney recalled the awkwardness of the aftermath, saying Van Gaal appeared unusually quiet during the celebrations. "He was stood over with his wife and a couple of friends and he was very quiet, that's just wasn't him," Rooney said. "I went up to him and said 'boss, whatever is going on just forget it and enjoy tonight' and he couldn't. It was tough, it was tough for us because we respected him."

Rooney said Van Gaal continued to perform his duties despite the off-field turmoil. He recounted that the manager made players attend breakfast the next morning and provided the squad with schedules and expectations for the off-season. "Fair play to him, he stuck to his job until it was confirmed he was sacked," Rooney said, expressing respect for the former coach’s professionalism.

The FA Cup victory provided respite in a difficult season; Jesse Lingard scored the extra-time winner for 10-man United in the final. Rooney’s recollections emphasize the personal and professional complexities that accompanied Van Gaal’s time at Old Trafford — a period marked by strong personalities, tactical changes and mixed results on the pitch.

Rooney’s comments add to public reminiscences about Van Gaal’s distinctive style and direct manner. Van Gaal, now in his mid-70s, has long been noted for his forthright speech and exacting standards, qualities that won him both admirers and critics during a lengthy managerial career across Europe.

Rooney’s reflections on The Wayne Rooney Show present Van Gaal as a figure who could inspire laughter and learning in equal measure, and they underscore how interpersonal moments in a dressing room can become lasting memories for players and their families.