Van Gaal Ready to Come out Of Retirement Again for One National Team

Van Gaal Ready to Come out Of Retirement Again for One National Team

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:20 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
International
  • Louis Van Gaal is open to yet another international managerial assignment
  • The former Netherlands boss is willing to take up the Portugal job if they give him a call
  • His last game with the Netherlands was an entertaining quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual World Cup winners Argentina

Louis Van Gaal has once again refused to rule out a return to football management, barely days after the Netherlands exited the World Cup.

The 71-year-old’s exit from the World Cup meant he left the Netherlands job for the third time with an incredible record of having never suffered defeat in normal time in his twenty matches in charge.

Despite his advanced age, Van Gaal, who recently fought off prostate cancer, hinted he may not be done with international football management.

Van Gaal Netherlands, Portugal, retirement, World Cup
Coach Louis van Gaal of Holland during the World Cup match between Holland v Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on December 9, 2022. Photo by Dale MacMillan.
Source: Getty Images

He made an appearance at a phone-in show and as reported on Daily Mail, he made a donation to the radio station's charity drive.

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Van Gaal was then asked about his future and the vacant Portugal role and his answer paved way for more speculation.

'I'm retired again,' Van Gaal said. as quoted by Daily Mail.
But if they call me, I'll listen,' he added. 'That's all I can say.'

Portugal on the hunt for new manager

Portugal recently parted ways with Fernando Santos after a dismal World Cup campaign which ended in a quarter-final defeat to Morocco.

A number of top names have since been linked with the Portugal job including Jose Mourinho, Paolo Fonseca and Andre Villas-Boas.

Van Gaal also spoke on the vacant Belgium job after the departure of Roberto Martinez by saying he was not angling towards a move.

'That was not a flirt, questions were asked about it,' he added. 'I can't help that, I have to answer that. I'm not flirting with Portugal right now either.'

The Dutchman’s managerial CV is quite extensive, having begun his career in 1991. At club level, he has coached big guns like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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