Louis van Gaal could have linked up with two Manchester United targets this summer after he was “asked” about a return to management with one club.
The 72-year-old legendary Dutchman has been out of the dugout since his third spell with the Netherlands national team came to an end in 2022.
Louis van Gaal made a U-turn on his retirement in 2021 and succeeded Frank de Boer as the head coach of the Netherlands ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The former Manchester United manager led the Netherlands to the quarter-finals at the World Cup in Qatar before suffering a defeat to Argentina on penalties.
Louis van Gaal left his role with the Netherlands for the third time after the 2022 World Cup and has been out of football management since his exit.
The former Ajax and Bayern Munich boss previously revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and successfully underwent treatment in 2022.
Van Gaal approached by one club
Louis van Gaal provided an update on his health and admitted that he was “reasonably healthy” and that he could coach again in football.
However, the ex-Manchester United head coach ruled out the idea of managing at club level, with Van Gaal preferring a role with a national team.
Van Gaal revealed that he had even been “asked” by Bayern Munich about a return to football before Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany was appointed manager.
“I am now reasonably healthy again. I could do it, but not as a club coach,” he said, as per ESPN (via talkSPORT).
“I was asked by Bayern Munich, even before Kompany.
“As a national coach, you are busy for eight periods and during the year you scout with your staff. That could still be possible.”
Vincent Kompany succeeded Thomas Tuchel, who was linked with United in the past, at Bayern Munich in May after the German club’s disappointing season.
Van Gaal could have linked up with Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt at Bayern had the former United boss returned to management.
Both Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt have been linked with the Red Devils and United had submitted a joint bid for the pair this summer.
Man Utd’s transfer pursuit of De Ligt and Mazraoui
Bayern have reportedly rejected United’s opening joint bid for Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, with the Red Devils upping their pursuit of both players.
Erik ten Hag is keen to reinforce his defensive options at United and suffered a major blow in pre-season after Leny Yoro picked up an injury against Arsenal.
De Ligt is believed to be one of United’s leading centre-back targets, with the Red Devils refusing to pay a hefty transfer fee for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
Noussair Mazraoui has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford after West Ham’s approach for the Bayern full-back collapsed.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer amid West Ham’s interest and Mazraoui would help strengthen Ten Hag’s right-back options.
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