Softfootball has gathered that former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is now free of cancer. The legendary Dutch tactician, who led the Netherlands in Qatar, had publicly announced in April, 2020 that he was battling prostate cancer.
According to the UK Guardian, the Dutch gaffer has revealed he is now cancer-free and open to returning to international football, nearly two years after stepping away from the game following the 2022 World Cup. But speaking on Dutch television on Friday, the 73-year-old shared the uplifting news:
“I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
Van Gaal explained that he underwent several operations and treatments over the past two years but is now in good health and feeling stronger.
“It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end,”
he said.
“I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter.”
Widely regarded as one of football’s great tacticians, Van Gaal’s career includes successful spells with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United, alongside three stints in charge of the Dutch national team.
While he ruled out a return to club football, Van Gaal admitted that a comeback at the international level could be on the cards.
“I’m not interested in clubs, but a national team? That might still appeal to me,”
he hinted.
For now, Van Gaal continues to serve as a special adviser at Ajax, the club where his managerial journey began and where his influence remains strong.
Softfootball had earlier reported that Van Gaal’s former club, Manchester United, will be without Andre Onana for six weeks. Barely six days into preseason, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has received the sad news of an injury to a key member of his squad.
Andre Onana has picked up a hamstring injury and will be out for close to six weeks. Onana picked up the injury in training after he and other teammates returned for preseason which began on July 7.
