Former Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Ajax, and Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal is set to retire from football management due to family reasons.
The Dutchman had been out of work following his high-profile stint as Man Utd boss where he left the club on the back of an FA Cup win, but his time at Old Trafford will not be remembered fondly for the style of play as the board opted to bring in Jose Mourinho following failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Van Gaal admitted that the sudden death of his daughter's husband had impacted his decision.
I thought maybe I would stop, then I thought it would be a sabbatical, but now I do not think I will return to coaching.
So much has happened in my family, you become a human being again with your nose pressed to the facts.
It has also become clear that, like many footballers in Europe's top leagues, Van Gaal was headhunted by an Asian club to come in and manage the team. He was reportedly offered €50m over three years, but opted instead to say close to his family.
Louis van Gaal turned down 50m euros over three years to manage in Asia but will retire for 'family reasons' #mufc https://t.co/VICCwWRfsg
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 16, 2017
An understandable decision.
Having started his managerial career in 1991, he won trophies everywhere he went in club management and twice answered the call to manage his country. A good manager, a great character, enjoy your retirement, Louis!
