Van Gaal Adds a Volleyball Coach to Holland Backroom Staff Ahead of World Cup, Gives ‘Strange’ Explanation

• Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal has appointed a volleyball coach to his backroom staff for the upcoming FIFA World Cup
• This will not be the first time Van Gaal has adopted an unconventional method when it comes to penalty shoot-outs
• The ex-Barcelona coach famously substituted then-Dutch No.1 Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final clash against Costa Rica as it was heading for a shoot-out

Dutch national team head coach Louis Van Gaal has added volleyball coach Peter Murphy to his backroom staff ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Van Gaal reckons that the addition of Murphy will give his team the extra edge for any possible penalty shoot-outs at this year's biggest sporting festival, the FIFA World Cup.

According to the Daily Mail, the Volleyball Hall of Famer has been tasked with helping the Dutch goalkeepers to read where penalty takers may put their spot kicks.

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"We have been looking for the best penalty killer - and I believe that Peter Murphy's knowledge and experience can help us a lot." Van Gaal said.

"He will not be teaching the boys to play volleyball if that is what you think. I think influencing the opponent is allowed.

"Murphy is going to do tests with my goalkeepers. He is also going to tell them how to get the penalty taker shaking and make him feel less secure. There are tools and tricks for this.

"A dancing goalkeeper on the line is very much possible. Peter will also support our goalkeepers psychologically.

"He has studied this field at university and has a lot of knowledge. I can't reveal more details about it, because other teams would surely benefit from it, too."

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The 71-year-old former Barcelona coach, who came out of retirement to lead Holland to qualify for Qatar, will be looking to clinch the ultimate at this year's Mundial following a third-place finish with the Netherlands in 2014.

Louis Van Gaal registers his displeasure with Barca coach Xavi over the lack of playing time for De Jong and Memphis

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong’s limited playing time at Barcelona is a concern for Louis van Gaal.

The Netherlands national team manager touched on the matter as the Dutch side prepares to take on Poland and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.

The duo were at the centre of intense transfer speculations during the recent transfer window. As reported by Fan Nation, Barcelona told Xavi that the sale of Depay and De Jong were a priority in the summer.