Manchester United announced through their official website that van Gaal signed a three-year deal with the club, and will take over after Netherlands' campaign in the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward expressed confidence about the hiring, saying that the 62-year-old manager is more than capable of bringing the club back to strong title contention next season.
"In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today," Woodward said. "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."Van Gaal was considered as favorite to land the job since David Moyes was sacked last month. He previously managed Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, and Bayern Munich, leading each club to league titles, including the 1995 Champions League crown with Ajax.
"It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League," van Gaal said. "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."
The club also announced that long-time United player, Ryan Giggs, who managed the club in their last four English Premier League games, will serve as the club's assistant manager.
Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout will also be a part of the coaching team with Hoek serving as the goalkeeping coach, while Bout will take over scouting duties.
And after the club named van Gaal as the new Manchester United manager, Giggs officially announced his retirement as player to focus on his new role with the club.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from professional football and embark upon a new and exciting chapter in my life, as assistant manager of Manchester United," Giggs said in a statement. "I am immensely proud, honored and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times."
Manchester United’s legend, Rio Ferdinand, expressed his delight on the development, sent best wishes to both Van Gaal and Ryan Giggs via his Twitter.
Good luck to Louis Van Gaal as the new manager of @ManUtd
also to Giggsy as no.2. Hope they get #mufc back to the top where we belong.— Rio Ferdinand tweeted
Good luck to Louis Van Gaal as the new manager of @ManUtd also to Giggsy as no.2. Hope they get #mufc back to the top where we belong.
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 19, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment