Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has revealed he intends to retire from football management in 2017.
When asked about extending his contract the Dutch manager said he intended to "give it up" when his contract expires in 2017.
Rather than retiring due to age, Van Gaal cites spending more time with his wife as his reasoning to call time on his career in football management.
The 63-year-old said:
I promised that to my wife. We have not many years together any more. That is the reason.
I have to admit I have said to her, when I met her and our relationship seemed to be very good, that at 55 years I shall quit. I am still working and next week I am 64.
The only wish was the Premier League. Now I am here.
Van Gaal also spoke on former Old Trafford winger Cristiano Ronaldo and while refused to be drawn on the Real Madrid star returning to the club, he did say he's the type of signing Manchester United need.
Van Gaal said of Ronaldo and competing with rivals.
He is a fantastic player, I like him.
I can give examples of champions: Bayern Munich, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben; Chelsea, Eden Hazard and Willian; Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale; Barca, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Manchester United fans want us to compete with these teams. I think, maybe, we still have to buy a player with speed and creativity.
Van Gaal has already brought Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin to Old Trafford this summer but has previously signaled his intent to make a marquee signing before the transfer window shuts.
[BBC]
