Louis van Gaal has retired from football management at the age of 67, nearly three years after he departed Manchester United.
Van Gaal was sacked by United two days after winning the FA Cup, and was replaced by Jose Mourinho. He has been linked with several posts since leaving Old Trafford, including taking over at Feyenoord in his native Netherlands, but has instead chosen to spend more time with his family.
He brings to an end one of the great modern European managerial careers, having won three league titles and a Champions League with Ajax in the mid-90s, and two league titles with Barcelona in 1998 and 1999.
He later added another Eredivisie to his CV with AZ Alkmaar, won a Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, and took Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup, before an underwhelming spell at Manchester United more memorable for his eccentricities off the pitch than the football on it.
Speaking on Dutch TV, Van Gaal said: “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.
“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.”
Along with winning the 2015-16 FA Cup, Van Gaal will be most fondly remembered by United supporters for handing debuts to a raft of youngsters, including Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford.
Rashford tweeted: “Thank you for opening the door & trusting in me. Enjoy retirement boss.”
