An ex-Man United and Ajax boss returned to coach academy stars on Tuesday
The 73-year-old oversaw a session involving the son of one of his former stars
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By MICHAEL PAVITT
Published: 08:06 EST, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 08:07 EST, 10 December 2024
A former Man United boss made a surprise appearance at an Ajax training session on Tuesday.
Ajax's most promising academy stars reportedly took to the training pitch at De Toekomst, the club's training centre, and were greeted by a club legend.
The training session had been due to be overseen by a specialist coach or member of Ajax's first team staff, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
The outlet reported the academy products receive a session from first team staff once a month as part of an initiative overseen by director of football Marijn Beuker.
First team coaches, however, were not present at the session with Louis van Gaal appearing as a surprise coach.
The 73-year-old was appearing as a one-off and reportedly let other coaching staff members oversee the session, but observed and spoke to the players involved.
Former Man United coach Louis van Gaal oversaw a coaching session with young Ajax stars
Van Gaal returned to Ajax last month as part of a legends match against Real Madrid
Rafael van der Vaart's son Damian was reportedly among those involved in the session
Jan Faberski, Aaron Bouwman and Mark Verkuijl were among the players from Ajax Jong - the Dutch giant's reserve team - who were present at the session.
Under-19 stars included Damian van der Vaart, Levi Acheampong and Luca Messori.
Van Gaal had previously coached Van der Vaart's father Rafael, with the Dutchman having given him his Netherlands debut back in 2001.
Van Gaal had also served briefly as Ajax technical director during Van de Vaart's time at the club, before coaching him again during his second spell as Netherlands' boss between 2012 and 2014.
The 73-year-old head coach would ultimately return for a third spell as Dutch national team coach from 2021 to 2022, leading them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Manchester United boss stepped down following the tournament.
He then made the shock news that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Van Gaal spoke about his health battle in August, revealing he requires regular radiation therapy and needed urine bags.
Van Gaal had coached Rafael van der Vaart at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
He led the Dutch national team again at the 2022 World Cup before revealing he had cancer
Van Gaal, 73, had provided an update on his health battle in an appearance on TV in August
He had, however, optimistic tone when discussing his condition in a TV appearance.
Speaking to RTL, Van Gaal said: 'My health? I am doing well.
'After three years of radiation therapy, kidney infections, prostate surgery, I can finally manage it. I can pee naturally again, which is important.'
He then joked: 'But I can't make love anymore, that's a problem.'