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Louis van Gaal, 72, gives an update on his health as he battles prostate cancer and reveals his surprise at being offered an unexpected job by a European giant

Posted on by angelo
Louis van Gaal, 72, gives an update on his health as he battles prostate cancer and reveals his surprise at being offered an unexpected job by a European giant

  • Louis van Gaal revealed his cancer diagnosis in 2022 after keeping it secret
  • The 72-year-old needed regular radiotherapy and used urine bags
  • But he struck an optimistic tone when giving an update on his health.

By Daniel Davis

Published: | Update:

Louis van Gaal has given a positive update on his battle with prostate cancer and revealed he has been approached by a top European club to become their manager.

Van Gaal, 72, resigned as Netherlands national team manager after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after revealing his shock diagnosis.

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Manchester United manager has revealed he is being treated for an aggressive form of cancer which he kept hidden from his players.

But the Dutchman, who needs regular radiotherapy and urine bags, struck an upbeat tone when discussing his condition during a television appearance.

Asked on RTL, Van Gaal said: “My health? I’m fine.

Louis van Gaal, 72, gives an update on his health as he battles prostate cancer and reveals his surprise at being offered an unexpected job by a European giant

Louis van Gaal has given an update on his battle with aggressive prostate cancer

Van Gaal had to undergo radiotherapy and be given urine bags (pictured: Van Gaal and his wife, Truus)

Van Gaal had to undergo radiotherapy and be given urine bags (pictured: Van Gaal and his wife, Truus)

The 72-year-old was asked about his condition during a recent television appearance on RTL

The 72-year-old was asked about his condition during a recent television appearance on RTL

“After three years of radiation, kidney infections and prostate surgery, I’m finally getting there. I can urinate naturally again, which is important.”

He then joked: “But I can’t have sex anymore, that’s a problem.”

Van Gaal also discussed Bayern Munich’s job offer before the Bundesliga club brought in Vincent Kompany in their search for a new head coach.

“Bayern Munich asked me to be their manager,” he said. “I was surprised.”

The Bavarian heavyweights are known to have spoken to several candidates and been rejected by several of them – the process leading them to opt for Kompany.

Xabi Alonso, Ralf Rangnick, Julian Nagelsmann and Roger Schmidt are all believed to have turned down the job after Thomas Tuchel opted to leave at the end of last season.

Van Gaal has revealed he was approached to become Bayern Munich head coach this year

Van Gaal has revealed he was approached to become Bayern Munich head coach this year

He took charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 and won the FA Cup (above)

He took charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 and won the FA Cup (above)

Van Gaal has stepped down as Netherlands coach in 2022 to focus on his battle

Van Gaal has stepped down as Netherlands coach in 2022 to focus on his battle

Van Gaal coached Bayern between 2009 and 2011, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup and finishing runners-up in the Champions League.

He also took charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 and lifted the FA Cup in his final campaign before being abruptly sacked by the club’s directors.

After a five-year break, Van Gaal returned to the Netherlands bench in 2021.

Asked in a previous interview whether his cancer had changed his outlook on life, Van Gaal replied: “Not much, actually. Look, I come from a family where there are nine brothers. I’m the youngest. My father died when I was 11. He died at 53.”

“My first wife died at 39. And all my brothers died too early. I am used to death. That’s why I know that death is part of life and that we can face it.”

“When I found out I had cancer, I thought, ‘Okay, this is not good news, but I better try to do something.’ Every human being reacts differently. That’s why I say, ‘Be yourself.’”