United appoint van Gaal as new boss

adamhigginsuk
May 19, 2014
3 min read

Disciplinarian: van Gaal, who is renowned for imposing a no-nonsense regime, will take over at United at the end of Holland’s World Cup campaign (Picture from Sky Sports)

MANCHESTER United have confirmed Louis van Gaal as their new manager, with Ryan Giggs retiring from playing duties to be his assistant.

Dutchman van Gaal has signed a three-year contract with the Premier League club, who dispensed with David Moyes after just ten months in charge last month.

The 62-year-old will begin work at Old Trafford after leading the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and is United’s first foreign boss.

Giggs, 40, who took charge of the final four games of the season on an interim basis, will become his number two after announcing the end of a distinguished 23-year playing career.

Frank Hoek joins as a goalkeeping coach and Marcel Bout will be an assistant coach, specialising in opposition scouting.

Van Gaal has enjoyed huge success as a coach at the highest level in European football, guiding Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich to domestic titles.

His stellar CV of achievements also include the Champions League, Uefa Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, two Uefa Super Cups and domestic Super Cups in Holland and Germany.

Van Gaal confirmed his interest in the United job recently and has now vowed to "make history" after landing the role to succeed the sacked Moyes on a permanent basis.

"It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League. To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud," he told the club's official website.

"I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. The club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I'm sure we will make history."

United chief executive Ed Woodward described the experienced van Gaal, who was linked with the Tottenham vacancy earlier this year, as "one of the outstanding managers in the game today".

He said: "Everyone is very excited about this new phase in the club's history. His track record of success in winning leagues and cups across Europe throughout his career makes him the perfect choice for us.

Giggs' future appeared uncertain following the season's conclusion amid the speculation about van Gaal's imminent arrival.

But Woodward expressed his delight that the Welshman, who is the club's record appearance maker with 963 in total, has been kept on as part of the new manager’s plans.

"Ryan's association with the club spans over two decades and his knowledge and stature will be of great use to Louis.

"In addition, this is a fantastic opportunity for Ryan to learn his trade alongside a world-class manager whose attacking instincts and belief in youth are tailor-made for Manchester United," he added.

Van Gaal takes over at the end of a difficult season for United, who finished seventh in the Premier League and have failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years.

He is expected to oversee a summer of rebuilding in the transfer market with the club's owners the Glazer family expected to make funds available.

Van Gaal could hand Robin van Persie the United captaincy following the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, having named the striker as the Dutch national captain in June 2013.

The appointment comes a year to the day since Sir Alex Ferguson officially retired from the post after the final day of the 2012-13 season.

LOUIS VAN GAAL FACTFILE:

Age: 62 (Born in Amsterdam, Holland, on August 8, 1951) Playing career: Ajax, Royal Antwerp, Telstar, Sparta Rotterdam and AZ Alkmaar Total appearances: 333 Total goals: 34 Managerial career: Ajax, Barcelona (two spells), AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich, Holland (2000-02 and 2012-present) Managerial honours: Eredivisie (1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2008-09), Uefa Cup 1991-92, Champions League 1994-95, Uefa Super Cup (1995 and 1997), La Liga (1997-98 & 1998-99), Copa del Rey (1997-98), Bundesliga (2009-10).