Louis Van Gaal has revealed that he has an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, in an interview on Dutch TV on Sunday night.
The former Manchester United manager was appearing on the programme Humberto to promote an upcoming documentary about his life when he broke the news.
“I didn’t want to tell it to my players because it could have influenced their performances,” the current Netherlands boss said.
“In each period during my time as manager of the national team I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now. While thinking I was healthy, but.. I am not.”
Van Gaal managed United for two years, signing off with an FA Cup triumph over Crystal Palace at Wembley in May 2016.
‘Everybody at Manchester United is fully behind our former manager, Louis van Gaal, in his battle against cancer,’ the Old Trafford club posted on Sunday night. ‘Sending you strength and courage, Louis.’
The Dutch tactician came to prominence as a coach in the mid-90s when he guided Ajax to three Eredivisie titles and a famous Champions League win in 1995, with youngsters such as Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf all in the team.
He later coached Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, winning league titles at all three.
