Louis van Gaal wants to become the next manager of Manchester
United, the Dutchman said on Wednesday. The Netherlands coach described United
as the "biggest club in the world" and said he would "love the
job". "I hope that I shall be the one. It's the biggest club in the
world and it's a fantastic challenge," he told the BBC from the Dutch
squad's pre-World Cup training camp. But he said nothing had been agreed about
him taking over at Old Trafford.
File photo of coach Louis van Gaal.
"You (the media) are thinking I'm the man but the
most important thing is whether Manchester United are thinking that," he
said. The 62-year-old has been the favourite to take over at United since David
Moyes was sacked last month after 10 months in charge. British media have
reported that Van Gaal's appointment could be confirmed next week but he could
not begin work at United until after the World Cup and he said the speculation
would not affect the Dutch team's campaign in Brazil. "I have to focus on
my job," he said. "I am coach of the Dutch national team. I have
waited a long time to be in a World Cup, so that's very important. "This
doesn't affect me. I have always had offers. I know what the football world is
and what it means." Van Gaal has won domestic titles in the Netherlands
with Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar, in Spain with Barcelona and in Germany with
Bayern Munich. He also led Ajax to the European Cup in 1995. United, seventh in
the Premier League table, have endured a disappointing season, their first of
the post-Alex Ferguson era. Moyes lasted 34 league games before being replaced
on an interim basis by Ryan Giggs who has led them to two wins and one defeat
in his three games in charge.
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