pwshub.com

Van Gaal gives health update and reveals he was offered shock job

Louis van Gaal has provided a positive update on his fight with prostate cancer and revealed he was approached by a big European club to become their manager.

Van Gaal, 72, stepped down from his role as head coach of the Netherlands national side after the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, having revealed his shock diagnosis.

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Manchester United boss disclosed he was being treated for an aggressive form of cancer which he had hidden from his players.

But the Dutchman, who requires regular radiation therapy and needed urine bags, struck an optimistic tone when discussing his condition in a TV appearance.

Speaking to RTL, Van Gaal said: 'My health? I am doing well. 

Louis van Gaal has provided a positive update on his fight with aggressive prostate cancer

Van Gaal required radiation therapy and urine bags (pictured: Van Gaal and his wife, Truus)

The 72-year-old was questioned on his condition during a recent TV appearance on RTL

'After three years of radiation therapy, kidney infections, prostate surgery, I can finally manage it. I can pee naturally again, which is important.' 

He then joked: 'But I can't make love anymore, that's a problem.'

Van Gaal also lifted the lid on being tabled a job offer by Bayern Munich before the Bundesliga club swooped for Vincent Kompany in their search for a new head coach.

'Bayern Munich asked me to be their manager,' he said. 'I was surprised.'

The Bavarian heavyweights are known to have spoken to multiple candidates and were rejected by several - with the process leading them to settle on Kompany.

It is believed Xabi Alonso, Ralf Rangnick, Julian Nagelsmann and Roger Schmidt all turned down the job after Thomas Tuchel opted to leave at the end of last season.

Van Gaal revealed he was approached to become Bayern Munich's head coach this year

He took charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 and won the FA Cup (above)

Van Gaal stepped down from his role as Netherlands head coach in 2022 to focus on his battle

Van Gaal had coached Bayern between 2009 and 2011, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup and finishing as the Champions League runner-up.

He also took charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 and lifted the FA Cup during his final campaign before being brutally dismissed by club chiefs. 

After a five-year break, Van Gaal returned to the Netherlands dugout in 2021. 

Asked in a previous interview whether his cancer has changed his outlook on life, Van Gaal said: 'Not much, really. Look, I come from a family in which we are nine brothers. I am the smallest. My father died when I was 11 years old. He died at 53. 

'My first wife died when she was 39. And all my brothers died too soon. I'm used to death. That's why I know that death is a part of life, and you can deal with it. 

'When I first heard I had cancer I said, 'Okay, it's not good news, but I better try to do something about it.' Each human can react differently. That's why I say: "Be yourself."'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
2 weeks ago - INSIDE THE MAN UNITED CAMP, BY CHRIS WHEELER: On the way into the boardroom at Old Trafford, there is a Manchester United opus bound in red leather lying on a table.
5 days ago - Argentina World Cup winner Di Maria has repeatedly blamed Van Gaal - who was in charge at Old Trafford from July 2014 to May 2016 - for his tough time in Manchester.
2 weeks ago - Erik ten Hag's new favourite answer when a journalist asks him a question he does not like is: 'I am sorry for you.' He was at it again on Sunday after his Man United side were hammered.
16 hours ago - Cristiano Ronaldo's (left) Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr have slammed a YouTuber for striking an iconic Lionel Messi (inset) celebration after being invited to a tour of the club's stadium.
1 month ago - Since leaving Old Trafford, the former international has plied his trade in three different countries, with his latest move marking the seventh team he has represented.
Other stories
43 minutes ago - ISAAN KHAN IN BERGAMO: Ahead of their opening match against Atalanta tonight, Mikel Arteta's side are no longer newcomers on this stage.
43 minutes ago - The video is mesmerising. Full of lively music, twinkling sounds and graphics that revolve as quickly as a fruit machine, UEFA pulled no punches to launch what they are calling 'the new beginning.'
1 hour ago - An embarrassing late blunder for a former Premier League stopper gifted Paris St Germain a 1-0 home victory over Champions League debutants Girona on Wednesday night.
1 hour ago - The legendary rock and roll band recently announced the group - led by City fanatic brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher - are getting back together and the club have got in on the action.
1 hour ago - Haaland was kept quiet on a night in which he missed out on his 100th goal for the club but he was all smiles during an animated chat with Acerbi after the final whistle.