Van Gaal comes with a positive update about health: ‘No more cancer’

Van Gaal comes with a positive update about health: 'No more cancer'

Louis van Gaal’s health is good. The former coach of the Dutch national team, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago, said Friday on the RTL program Humberto that he no longer suffers from the disease.

“I had surgery a few more times two years ago. Then everything was bad, my condition too. But in the end, it all turned out well. I can manage it. I no longer suffer from cancer.”

The 73-year-old Van Gaal is checked every three months. “Then my PSA value is measured and it is always 0.0. That is good. And the metastasis also proved to be limited. I am getting fitter and fitter.”

The former coach of Ajax, AZ, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United experienced difficult moments due to his illness. He spoke candidly at the table with Humberto about the fact that he no longer had control over his bowel movements.

“I had to wear diapers, which was terrible. I am a clean guy, it hurt me that I had to let everything go. To avoid it being noticed, I wore dark pants. At the gala of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, I handed out bowls while I peed my pants. Nobody said anything, but I was ashamed. Fortunately, that is all behind me now. It doesn’t happen anymore.”

Van Gaal was sounded out by several clubs

At the time Van Gaal announced he had cancer, he was still coach of the Dutch national team. After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he has not accepted any coaching jobs.

“In the past two years I have been asked by a number of clubs,” said Van Gaal, who is currently an advisor at Ajax. “But I no longer want to be the coach of a club. I no longer want to work every day.”

However, Van Gaal does not completely rule out that his coaching career will have a sequel. “Being a national coach, I still want to do that. That is eight periods per year. “But who is waiting for a national coach who has had prostate cancer and is 73 years old?” Van Gaal is also picky himself. “I only do it for big countries like England and Germany. The Netherlands? Well, I have already been coach of the Dutch national team three times.”

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