Manchester United go Dutch with new boss van Gaal

MANCHESTER United have named Dutch coach Louis van Gaal as its new manager.

The club, which said last week its 7th place league finish and subsequent absence from the Champions League next season would cost it around £35m in lost TV revenue, has handed the 62-year-old former Barcelona boss a three year deal.

He will be assisted by Ryan Giggs, who took charge of the team after the sacking of David Moyes in April, and who has now hung up his boots as a player.
 
van Gaal’s number one target will be to lead United back into Europe’s elite competition. He will move to Manchester after the World Cup, where he is managing the national team.

An experienced coach, he has won domestic titles and domestic cups in three countries, as well as the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and domestic Super Cups in Holland and Germany.  

United’s executive vice-president Ed Woodward, said: “In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today.  He has achieved many things in his career to date and Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story.

“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.”

Louis van Gaal said: “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.

“This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions.  Together I’m sure we will make history.”