Former Netherlands and Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal has announced that he has been cured of prostate cancer and is ready to return to coaching. “Everything (treatment) is going well and I am getting fitter and fitter,” he told a local talk show.
However, the 73-year-old former Dutch coach said that he is still undergoing regular check-ups. Earlier, in April 2022, news came out that he was in a serious stage of prostate cancer. At that time, Van Gaal was in the third stage of the cancer. He resigned as coach of the Netherlands national team after the Qatar World Cup that year.
Announcing his return to football after long-term treatment and rehabilitation, Van Gaal said, “I don’t have anything to worry about with cancer anymore. Two years ago I had a few surgeries. My condition was bad then. But (the treatment) finally worked. I have check-ups every few months and everything is going well. I am getting fitter day by day.” Van Gaal has expressed his desire to coach a top-level national team.
The Dutch tactician previously managed the Netherlands national team three times. He also coached Barcelona and Ajax twice in club coaching. Louis van Gaal also has experience in managing the dugouts of teams like Bayern Munich and Manchester United. He is currently working as a special consultant for Dutch club Ajax.
Van Gaal won three leagues and a Champions League at the beginning of his coaching career for Ajax. He also won league titles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as well as many other trophies. In his last match, he won the FA Cup for Manchester United. In total, he has won 20 major trophies under his coaching.
Incidentally, there was a heated situation between Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and Van Gaal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. After scoring, the Albiceleste star celebrated wildly by standing in front of him. The quarter-final between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw, which led to a tiebreaker. Messi’s Argentina won 4-3 and advanced to the semi-finals. Van Gaal had previously lost his first wife Fernanda to cancer.
FAQ
Who is the legendary coach mentioned in the title?
The coach’s name hasn’t been provided here, but the title refers to a well-known and respected figure in the sports world who has recovered from cancer.
What type of cancer did the coach have?
The specific type of cancer has not been mentioned in the title. Details may be available in the full story or official statement.
Is the coach completely cancer-free now?
Yes, according to the title, the coach has successfully beaten cancer and is now free from the disease.
How long was the coach away from the sport?
The exact duration hasn’t been specified, but it’s likely the coach took time off for treatment and recovery.
Does the coach plan to return to coaching soon?
Yes, the coach has expressed a strong desire to return to coaching now that they are healthy again.
