Soccer

Manchester United job to be Louis Van Gaal’s last

63-year-old Dutchman has promised wife Truus he will retire after Old Trafford tenure

Louis Van Gaal will retire when he leaves his post at Old Trafford. Photograph: PA
Louis Van Gaal will retire when he leaves his post at Old Trafford. Photograph: PA
Fri Mar 20 2015 - 10:32

Louis van Gaal has insisted that coaching Manchester United will be his last managerial role and he is determined to help them qualify for next season's Champions League.

The Dutchman, 63, signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford in May before leading Holland to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has since taken United to fourth place in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s crucial trip to face fifth-placed Liverpool at Anfield.

However, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph published on Thursday, Van Gaal admitted that he has already promised his wife that they will retire to the Algarve in the near future.

“This is my last job. For sure,” he said. “I have to pay attention to my kids, my grandchildren but also to my wife. They deserve it. Now I cannot pay that attention. I was not at the birthday of my grandson for example. I don’t like it.”

READ MORE

United’s 3-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday was hailed as United’s best performance since Van Gaal joined the club. It left them two points clear of Liverpool and a point behind third-placed Arsenal with just nine games of the season left to play.

But while there has been criticism of the Dutchman’s first season in the Premier League, Van Gaal believes the club is now beginning to see the fruits of his labour.

“When I drive my car for the first time in England it is the same, I have to think about the left and the right,” he said.

“That we have seen with United. Against Spurs you have seen that. That shows they can do things together as a team. That takes time. In Germany [at Bayern], it took until December. And now until March [with United].”

Manchester United face home matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City next month before successive trips to play Chelsea and Everton. They are also due to play Arsenal at Old Trafford on 16 May before rounding off the season at Hull.

Van Gaal is confident they can finish in the top four and hinted that a Champions League spot could be crucial in attracting the calibre of player he wants.

“That’s our goal, yes, and it depends on how we end this season,” he said. “We have to qualify for the Champions League and we have many tests next year. That also develops the level of your team, and of course how many players can come in to improve our selection.”