Ask a random Barcelona fan who was the most influential coach in Andres Iniesta's career, and the most probable answer would be Pep Guardiola. The midfielder was the heart and the brain of the team in Barca's Golden Age, helping the Catalans to a stunning 32 trophies.
However, Cules should not forget that it wasn't Pep who gave Andres the first opportunity to prove himself in the senior team.
Iniesta registered his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal on 29 October 2002 in the Champions League game against Brugge. The Blaugrana won 1-0 on that day thanks to Riquelme's long-distance strike. The 18-year-old Andres played till the final whistle.
Van Gaal's second spell at Barca is usually described as a nightmare and for a reason.
First, he forced World Cup winner and fans' favourite Rivaldo out of the team although the latter had a year left on his contract. The Dutchman blamed Rivaldo for 'lacking commitment', the Brazilian denied all accusations and insisted it was personal.
Besides, Van Gaal didn't like new signing Juan Roman Riquelme. The playmaker had just joined Barca for €11million but Louis labelled him a 'political signing' and kept. He insisted on using the playmaker on the wing thus limiting his abilities.
By the middle of October, the Catalans were in the bottom half of the league table. By Christmas, they were trying hard not to get to the relegation zone.
Finally, after a 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo in January 2003, the club sacked Van Gaal. Barcelona were only three points above the relegation zone when it happened.
"He came into the dressing room after hearing the news, started to talk, and all of a sudden began crying like a baby. He was a hard, cold person – and here he was destroyed," ex-Blaugrana defender Phillipe Christanval told SRF in 2016.
However, if there's one thing Louis van Gaal deserved credit for, it's his desire to give a chance to young Barcelona talents. Andres Iniesta was one of them but we can also mention the likes of Carles Puyol, Xavi, Victor Valdes, Thiago Motta, and Pepe Reina.
In April 2018, shortly after the iconic midfielder announced he'd leave the club, Spanish outlet Marca published Van Gaal's open letter to 'excellent player and great human being' Iniesta.
"When I was Barcelona coach, I always thought it was very important to give opportunities to young players," the Dutchman wrote.
"Every week, I watched the youth team's games with my fellow coaching staff. With Andres, I quickly realised that he deserved an opportunity. In the youth side, he had already demonstrated his great quality, which could develop in the first team.
"I watched how he worked on the field. As well as Xavi. Many people told me that the two were the same but I thought that Iniesta had more quality because tactically, he was incredible.
"You see [Lionel] Messi now and he is also a very fast player but Andres was different. He has a great ability to dribble like Leo but in small spaces, he had more quality and speed of execution.
"But there is more. Iniesta is not just reduced to his excellence as a footballer because he's always been a fantastic professional. He is a great person too and when a great person, in his modesty, is smart enough to surround himself with the right people, everything is easier.
"I'm very glad that Iniesta has had this brilliant career. Not only because he is a great player but because he is an excellent human being. That is something which, in the world of football today, is not easy."
