Louis van Gaal, the veteran Dutch football manager renowned for his tactical depth and famously direct communication style, has announced a significant personal victory: he has successfully overcome prostate cancer.
The 73-year-old shared this health update during a recent television appearance, confirming that the two-year battle with the illness is now behind him. Following treatment, which included multiple procedures, Van Gaal stated he is feeling well. “It doesn`t worry me anymore,” he remarked, adding that he undergoes regular check-ups and is returning to full physical form.
Van Gaal was notably candid about the challenging aspects of his treatment journey. He detailed the physical and emotional toll, particularly the issue of incontinence. “I had problems with incontinence, I had to use diapers,” he revealed, describing it as “devastating” for someone with his penchant for order and control. He spoke of making public appearances while attempting to conceal leaks, often by wearing dark trousers, underscoring the personal difficulty of managing the condition discreetly.
Despite these significant health challenges, Van Gaal has not entirely dismissed the possibility of a return to football management. However, he is clear about the parameters under which this would occur. Daily involvement with a club team is not something he would consider at this stage. His interest lies solely in national team management, a role with a considerably different workload, typically involving concentrated periods of activity perhaps eight times a year.
With characteristic ambition tempered by self-aware irony, Van Gaal specified the only national teams that would pique his interest. Pondering who might hire a manager of his age with a recent health history, he quipped, “Who would take a 73-year-old with a history of prostate cancer? Perhaps Curaçao…” before quickly clarifying his serious targets: “but I would only really do it for national teams like England or Germany.” This declaration, delivered with typical Van Gaal flair, perhaps serves as both a testament to his high standards and a playful notice to football associations holding the most prestigious international posts.
