Van Gaal shares hope for positive cancer update after undergoing operation

09 September 2023 , 21:30

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Van Gaal has gone under the knife again (Image: ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is waiting to discover if an operation to help him in his battle against cancer has been successful.

Van Gaal, 72, has been fighting an aggressive form of prostate cancer for almost three years, although he kept his illness a secret for much of that time because he didn’t want the issue to overshadow Holland’s bid to qualify for last winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

Now the Dutchman has revealed he has undergone another medical procedure and is now hoping that doctors will give him some good news when he returns to hospital for a check-up later this month.

Van Gaal, who was sacked by United after two years in the job the day after guiding the Reds to the 2016 FA Cup, revealed: “How am I doing? Well, I had surgery two or three weeks ago.

“They have tried to put everything in order, details of which I won't tire you with further, but now we have to wait and see.

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“On September 19, I have to go back again and then everything will be decided - and then a miracle could take place that I am able to go the toilet by myself again.”

Van Gaal, who also managed Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich during a glittering coaching career spanning almost 30 years, announced his retirement leaving Old Trafford.

Van Gaal managed the Dutch side at the Qatar World Cup (PA)

He returned to the game to help Holland qualify for the World Cup, but stepped down after they were beaten by eventual champions Qatar in the quarter-finals.

Nicknamed the Iron Tulip, the Amsterdam-born former PE teacher insists this time he will not be lured out of retirement.

Van Gaal sparked some controversy when speaking at the same event where he announced his cancer update, when he insisted that the 2022 World Cup had been 'rigged' in favour of Lionel Messi and Argentina, who beat the Dutch in the quarter-finals.

"When you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped the mark and were not punished, then I think it all premeditated game," said Van Gaal, who then, when asked to elaborate, said: "I mean everything I say. That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes."

However, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk disagreed with his former manager, saying: "It is of course his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion."

Simon Mullock