Picture Credit: Twitter
Netherlands mens’ football team head coach Louis Van Gaal recently revealed he's being treated for prostate cancer. The former Manchester United gaffer confirmed this news on an RTL TV show called Humberto, on Sunday. He opened up about receiving treatment while working with the Dutch team. Van Gaal revealed that he had decided not to inform his players of his condition. He also confirmed that he will continue his role of coaching the Netherlands in this year’s World Cup.
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. You don’t die from prostate cancer, at least not in 90% 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 get through life."
"I did have preferential treatment in the hospital,” Van Gaal said. “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,” he said when asked hiding his illness.
“The fact that nothing has come out yet also says something about my environment. That’s great.”
Van Gaal is in charge of the national team for the third time. He coached the team to a third-place finish at the World Cup in 2014 before joining Manchester United. The Dutch are part of Group A in this year’s World Cup with hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal. They will feature in the tournament’s first match in Doha on 21 November.
Manchester United posted a message of support for their former coach on their Twitter account. The tweet said, "Everybody at Manchester United is fully behind our former manager, Louis van Gaal, in his battle against cancer. Sending you strength and courage, Louis."
Van Gaal has had a four-decade-long coaching career where he has won league titles with Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar. His biggest coaching feat was winning the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.