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By Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven)

It’s somewhat difficult to imagine the mood on Louis Van Gaal’s private jet to Portugal just hours after his dismissal as Manchester United manager. His apparent surprise at the news lends itself to the idea of the Dutchman ranting and raving on his way to his holiday home in the Algarve. It would be understandable, however, if his primary emotion was one of relief.

Van Gaal’s exit from Old Trafford had been a long time in coming, in fact almost an entire season in coming. Given the intensity of the speculation surrounding his position at the club it’s little wonder he lasted the duration of the campaign. The private jet to Portugal might have been fuelled as long ago as Boxing Day, when the Dutchman was first deemed to be under real threat of losing his job.

After missing out on the top four, turning Man Utd into the most tedious and insipid side in England, Van Gaal’s position was untenable. News of his firing really shouldn’t have come as a surprise, particularly considering the countless stories of Jose Mourinho’s interest in the job. 

But was Van Gaal’s time at Man Utd a complete loss? The former Ajax and Barcelona boss certainly won’t be remembered too fondly at Old Trafford - beyond his comical touchline dive and press conference soundbites - but what will he leave behind at the club? Is there a chance the context of history over immediacy might favour him?

At the time of his appointment, following the 2014 World Cup, Van Gaal looked to be the right man for the job. He was certainly the best candidate available, with the likes of Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti all tied into high profile jobs. Following the dismal tenure of David Moyes - a stint of dull, muddled soccer - the Dutchman appeared to be the antidote.

Of course, he wasn’t. In fact, it could be argued that the quality of play actually deteriorated further under Van Gaal’s control, with league position improving but not to the extent that had been hoped. But in dismantling the squad that had grown stale and stagnant at Old Trafford Van Gaal might have done what was necessary, even if it made him unpopular.

When Mourinho arrives at the club for the first time, expected to be later this week, he will find a blank slate with which to work with. A clear-out of sorts will be needed, but Van Gaal has already made plenty of the tough decisions in selling or retiring many of the club’s ageing stalwarts. Surgery was required and Van Gaal was the one wearing the mask. 

At Bayern Munich Van Gaal performed a similar job, calibrating the club after a spell of turbulence. He wasn’t loved in Bavaria either, and still isn’t, but his role was a crucial one before the appointment of Jupp Heynckes, who brought a new age of unrivalled glory and dominance to the Bundesliga club. United must hope the same thing will now happen with Mourinho.

Much more was expected of Van Gaal. He was meant to bring success not just set up his successor for it. He might have ended his career by winning the FA Cup at Wembley - a distinction for any manager - but he should have delivered much more. The benchmark at a club like Man Utd is set quite a bit higher than that.

Mourinho was once Van Gaal’s protege at Barcelona and now takes over from one of European soccer’s greatest ever coaching figures, with the Portuguese boasting such pedigree himself. Man Utd might have lost some of their allure in the transfer market but when it comes to attracting managers the prospect of restoring the club is a glittering one. If Mourinho succeeds in doing so Van Gaal might deserve at least a semblance of credit, as hard as that may be to see right now.