The former Man United boss provided a positive update on his clean bill of health
Ex-Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has announced he is cancer-free
Ex-Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has announced he is cancer-free
(Image: Getty)
Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has announced he is free of cancer.
The 73-year-old provided the news in a short statement after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer back in 2022.
"I no longer suffer from cancer," he said during an appearance on Humberto, the Dutch TV show on which he revealed his cancer diagnosis. "Two years ago, I had a few surgeries. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end, so I can manage it now.
"I have checkups every few months, and that's going well. I'm getting fitter and fitter."
The Dutch coach was last in charge of the Netherlands back in 2022, and subsequently retired from football management that very year.
Van Gaal underwent multiple surgeries as part of his treatment, which initially proved challenging. The treatment programme included 25 sessions of radiotherapy.
Despite his illness, the ex-United boss continued to manage the Dutch national team and led them through their 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar.
He has managed Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AZ Alkmaar and United, as well as leading the Netherlands national team on three separate occasions.
Van Gaal was in charge as United won the FA Cup back in 2016, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Wembley AET thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard.
He was then sacked just days later and replaced by Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford dugout.
United were slammed for their poor style of play under the Dutchman, having scored 49 Premier League goals in the 2015/16 season - their lowest tally then since the 1989-90 season.
"I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club's history," he said following his departure.
"I have been privileged during my management career to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, which is steeped in so much history, will always be one of the most special achievements of my career."
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