Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has announced that he is battling prostate cancer.
The Netherlands head coach confirmed the diagnosis on Dutch television show Humberto as he promoted his new film, LOUIS, explaining that he had kept the illness a secret from his players for a considerable period of time.
‘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,’ he said.
‘I think you don’t tell people you work with like that because it might influence their choices, their decisiveness. So I thought they shouldn’t know.’
Going into more detail on his health issue, Van Gaal revealed that he had a ‘pretty aggressive form’ of cancer, but was staying positive as he paid tribute to the hospital staff that had treated him.
‘You don’t die from prostate cancer, at least not in 90 per cent of the cases. It is usually other underlying diseases that kill you.
‘But I had a pretty aggressive form, got irradiated 25 times. Then you have a lot of management to do in order to go through life.
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that he is battling prostate cancer
Van Gaal is currently in charge of his country’s national team for the third time in his career
‘I did have preferential treatment in the hospital. I was allowed in through the back door when I went to an appointment and was immediately pushed into another room.
‘I have been treated wonderfully. You will of course tell your friends and relatives about it. The fact that nothing has come out yet also says something about my environment. That’s great.’
Despite his battle with cancer, Van Gaal has managed to guide the Netherlands to the World Cup in Qatar later this year. They will face hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal in the group stages.
Van Gaal has said that he kept his diagnosis a secret from his players for some time
His most recent role in club management came in the Premier League, when he was handed the United job in 2014.
He lasted two years at Old Trafford, and won the FA Cup in his final game at the helm as his side beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Wembley.
His former employers have been quick to send a message of support to Van Gaal, posting on Twitter: ‘Everybody at Manchester United is fully behind our former manager, Louis van Gaal, in his battle against cancer.
‘Sending you strength and courage, Louis,’ accompanied by a heart emoji.
Bayern Munich tweeted: ‘FC Bayern would like to wish former head coach Louis van Gaal all the best as he battles cancer. We all know how strong a person he is. Hoping for a full and speedy recovery!’
Van Gaal spent two years at Manchester United, winning the FA Cup in his final season
He won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 – and they have not lifted the trophy since
Van Gaal has had a glittering coaching career which has lasted over three decades. He led Ajax to Champions League glory in 1995, and he won league titles in Spain and Germany with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, respectively.
The Catalan giants also sent out a heartfelt message to their ex-boss on social media, writing: ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to former Barça manager Louis van Gaal, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Stay strong, Louis, and get well soon.’
The Dutchman has been in charge of his country’s national team on three separate occasions, and he is highly regarded in his homeland after leading Holland to a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup.
