Former Man United Manager Van Gaal Retires From Football

By Max Wise

Former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has announced his retirement from football at the age of 67.

The Dutchman bows out of the game with an impressive CV that saw him manage big clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United.

Van Gaal won trophies at every club side he managed including guiding AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch Eredivisie title in 2009, and also led the Netherlands to third place at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014.

Van Gaal described himself as a 'pensioner' as he announced the decision which he said was to afford him more time with the wife, who has been her backbone throughout his professional career.

"I am a pensioner now," he told Dutch TV show VTBL on Monday.

"I have no ambition to be a technical director or a TV pundit.

"My wife Truus gave up her job for me 22 years ago and followed me when I went abroad. I told her I would quit as a coach when I turned 55, but instead kept going until I was 65.

"She is entitled to have a life with me outside of football. I can say she is very happy. I think I could have worked as a technical director."

Van Gaal, who guided Ajax Amsterdam to the UEFA Champions League trophy in 1995, last managed in England at Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup in 2016 before he was sacked two days later to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.

Van Gaal gave Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford his debut in February 2016, and also signed Anthony Martial for the 20-time English Champions, and both players paid their respects to their former manager.

"Thank you for opening the door and trusting in me. Enjoy retirement boss," said Rashford on Twitter.

Manchester United team-mate Anthony Martial said: "Thanks for everything coach!! It was an honour to learn from you!".