Louis van Gaal has been confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager exclaims Manchester Evening news.
And as a United fan, I am delighted to add that the 62-year-old is set to take charge after this summer’s World Cup, where he will lead Holland.
Van Gaal succeeds, the desperately woeful David Moyes, who was sacked in April after just 10 months in the job. Van Gaal will be tasked with hauling the Reds back into title contention and the Champions League after the disastrous 2013/14 campaign.
The Dutchman’s second spell as manager of Holland will end after the World Cup. He has also had spells in charge of Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich.
He has won league titles in Holland, Spain and Germany, as well as the 1995 Champions League with Ajax.
He guided Bayern to the final in 2010 where they were beaten by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.
Van Gaal has been the favourite for the job since United announced they were parting company with Moyes following the 2-0 defeat to Everton on April 20.
Ryan Giggs, who caretaker manager for the final four games of the season, winning two, drawing one and losing one is the new Assistant manager.
Giggs, who ended the season in interim charge at Old Trafford, will be Van Gaal’s primary assistant and he is also bringing coaches Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout with him.
Van Gaal said: “It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League.
“To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud!
“I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are.
“This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I’m sure we will make history.”
Giggs is looking forward to working under another manager with the experience Van Gaal will bring to the club, having spent so many years as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: “I am thrilled to have the chance to serve as assistant manager. Louis van Gaal is a world-class coach and I know I will learn a lot about coaching from being able to observe and contribute at such close quarters.
“Manchester United has been a huge part of my life and I’m delighted to be able to continue that relationship in such a key role.”
Chief executive Ed Woodward added: “In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today.
“He has achieved many things in his career to date and Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story.”
Additional reporting by Sky Sports
