Louis van Gaal's last dance! A look back at the Dutchman's career

Louis van Gaal’s last dance: At 71, the outspoken Dutchman is off to the World Cup in his THIRD spell as Holland boss after coming out of retirement, battling prostate cancer and going unbeaten in 15 games… so, can he sign off with victory in Qatar?

• Louis van Gaal will guide Holland through the World Cup in Qatar this winter
• His appointment last year marked the third time he has taken charge of Holland 
• The 71-year-old manager came out of retirement after four-and-a-half years
• The showpiece tournament appears to be Van Gaal’s last dance as a manager
• Outspoken Dutchman also managed giants Man United, Barcelona and Bayern 
• Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates

Louis van Gaal has seen most things in football, but after coming out of retirement for one final shot at glory with Holland, he now has the chance to wrap up his glittering managerial career with the ultimate triumph.

The Dutchman is currently in his third spell as boss of the national side having previously taken charge of Holland between 2000-2001 and 2012-2014, but this time it feels different.

At 71 and after recently battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer, this winter’s World Cup in Qatar looks certain to be Van Gaal’s last dance. Few would begrudge him bowing out by lifting the trophy.

Louis van Gaal will guide Holland through the World Cup after returning to management

Speaking about his condition, Van Gaal had said: ‘In each period during my time as manager of the national team I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now, while thinking I was healthy, but… I am not. 

‘I had a pretty aggressive form [of cancer], got irradiated 25 times. Then you have a lot of management to do in order to go through life. I did have preferential treatment in the hospital. I was allowed in through the back door when I went to an appointment and was immediately pushed into another room.

‘I have been treated wonderfully. You will of course tell your friends and relatives about it. The fact that nothing has come out yet also says something about my environment. That’s great.’

Despite his battle with cancer, Van Gaal has managed to stabilise Holland after their disappointing Euro 2020 campaign and guide them to Qatar. There they will face the hosts, Ecuador and Senegal in the group stage. 

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will most likely be Van Gaal’s last dance with the national side

The outspoken veteran took over for a third time following the departure of Frank de Boer, who left after Holland were knocked out in the round of 16 at the European Championship.

The 71-year-old’s appointment came four-and-a-half years after he decided to call time on his storied career, explaining that he wanted to spend more time with his friends and family. 

Van Gaal told Dutch TV show VTBL at the time: ‘I am a pensioner now. 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.

Holland qualified for the 2014 World Cup under Van Gaal but they were knocked out of the competition by Argentina – losing 4-2 on penalties 

Holland will face Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup

‘I think I could have worked as a technical director, but in this role you can’t attend training or say anything for fear it won’t suit the coach, directors or media. I don’t think I want a job like that.’

However, Van Gaal admitted it was an honour to coach the Dutch national team for a third time and insisted he was ‘much looking forward to getting the job done’. 

Speaking at the time of his appointment, he said: ‘Dutch football has always been close to my heart and national coaching is in my view a key position for the further advancement of our football. Moreover, I consider it an honour to coach the Dutch national team.

‘There is little time for the next qualifying matches, which are immediately crucial for participation in the World Cup. The focus is therefore immediately 100 percent on the players and the approach. After all, I was appointed for that.

The 71-year-old manager is currently completing his third stint as the Holland boss 

‘It is good to be back in Zeist. By now I have already spoken to a number of players and the technical staff has been put together with the KNVB. I am very much looking forward to getting the job done together.’

After three years as Barcelona manager, Van Gaal left the Nou Camp in 2000 to take charge of Holland for the first time. 

He didn’t enjoy much success on the international scene, however, as Holland failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup – the first time since 1986 that they had missed out on the tournament – while under Van Gaal’s tutelage. 

That didn’t stop him getting a second crack at the job, though, as he was appointed again in August 2012. His side qualified for the 2014 World Cup without any issues and then shocked fans around the globe with a stunning 5-1 win over reigning champions Spain in group stage of the tournament.

The Dutchman chats with Ruud van Nistelrooy (right) during his first spell in charge of Holland

Van Gaal celebrates with Robin van Persie after his goal against Spain at the 2014 World Cup

Ajax coach Van Gaal pictured holding the trophy after his side won the 1994-1995 UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan 1-0

His side went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament but that’s where their journey ended. They were knocked out of the competition by Argentina, losing 4-2 on penalties.

Van Gaal also enjoyed highly successful spells at big clubs with notable wins at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, before finishing his domestic career at Premier League giants Manchester United. 

He got his managerial career off to a flying start in Amsterdam. He won 11 trophies in seven years with Ajax and made his name as one of Europe’s top managers.

Van Gaal had a host of talented youngsters at his disposal and shaped them into stars over the course of his tenure. He nurtured the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf – who had all graduated from the club’s academy. 

Van Gaal has received a host of individual accolades throughout his career (pictured receiving the lifetime achievement award by Michael van Praag in 2014)

Van Gaal’s eccentric managerial style saw him guide the team to Eredivisie titles in 1993-1994, 1994-1995 and 1995-1996. However, he is best remembered for going through the 1994-1995 season undefeated after playing 48 games.

During that time, Ajax scored 106 goals, picked up their 25th league title and won the Champions League. A truly incredible achievement.

He picked up a host of individual accolades including the Onze d’Or Coach of the Year, the European Coach of the Year (Sepp Herberger Award) and European Coach of the Season.

Van Gaal also took charge of LaLiga giants Barcelona during his domestic managerial career

Ajax fans were disappointed to see Van Gaal leave when his contract at the club expired. However, their loss was Barcelona’s gain as he stepped in to replace Bobby Robson in 1997.

Van Gaal’s stay in Spain was relatively brief but he had moments of brilliance with the Catalan giants and won back-to-back LaLiga titles, plus the Copa del Rey. He was also responsible for bringing in the likes of Patrick Kluivert and brothers Frank and Ronald de Boer from Ajax. 

His trophy haul continued to grow with another Eredivisie title with AZ Alkmaar, before he moved to Germany to take charge of Bayern Munich. There he won a Bundesliga title and the German Cup, and finished runners up in the 2010 Champions League final.  

Van Gaal’s domestic career came to a grinding halt soon after joining Premier League giants Manchester United in 2014.

The very last club Van Gaal managed was Premier League giants Manchester United

He endured a difficult spell with the Red Devils but did lift the FA Cup before being sacked 

Van Gaal won the FA Cup in his second season but it wasn’t enough to save his job. United had finished the campaign in fifth having only scored 49 goals – their lowest total since 1989-1990.

The Dutchman’s dictatorial approach did not sit well with some members of the United squad and he was swiftly replaced by Jose Mourinho as United tried – and failed – to restore the glory days seen under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Van Gaal is perhaps best remembered for his iconic acting skills on the touchline during United’s Premier League clash with Arsenal in 2016. 

He ran up to third official Mike Dean and dived to the floor in protest over Alexis Sanchez being awarded a penalty. It failed to do much good, but was TV gold for millions watching around the world.

Van Gaal will hope his Holland team capture an even bigger audience next month in Qatar – and that he can finally call it a day with the game’s most important trophy on his brilliant CV.

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