In a recent interview, Louis van Gaal gave an update on his ongoing battle with prostate cancer.
The former football manager, who has been quite private about his health struggles, shared some encouraging news and revealed that he was approached by a major European club for a managerial position.
Van Gaal, now 72, had stepped down from his role as head coach of the Netherlands national team after the 2022 World Cup, where he first disclosed his cancer diagnosis.
Despite keeping his condition under wraps initially, he’s been open about the aggressive nature of his illness and the treatments he has undergone.
The Dutch football legend has been undergoing regular radiation therapy and managing his condition with the help of urine bags.
However, during a recent appearance on RTL, Van Gaal expressed a hopeful outlook on his health.
He mentioned, “I’m doing well. After three years of radiation therapy, dealing with kidney infections, and having prostate surgery, I’m finally able to manage it.
I can pee naturally again, which is a big relief.”
He added a touch of humor to the situation, saying, “But I can’t make love anymore; that’s a problem.”
Bayern Munich’s Interest and Managerial Career
Van Gaal also shared an intriguing tidbit about his career.
He revealed that Bayern Munich had approached him about becoming their manager before they ultimately hired Vincent Kompany.
“Bayern Munich asked me to be their manager,” he said. “I was surprised.” The club had considered several candidates, including Xabi Alonso, Ralf Rangnick, Julian Nagelsmann, and Roger Schmidt, before settling on Kompany after Thomas Tuchel’s departure.
Van Gaal’s previous stint with Bayern Munich was highly successful, with him leading the team to win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup, and reaching the Champions League final.
His tenure at Manchester United was also notable, where he won the FA Cup before his departure.
Reflecting on Life and Illness
In a past interview, Van Gaal reflected on how his illness has affected his perspective on life. He shared that his outlook hasn’t changed significantly despite the diagnosis.
“I come from a family of nine brothers, and I’m the smallest. My father passed away when I was just 11, and my first wife died at 39. All my brothers died too soon.
I’m accustomed to death, so I understand it’s a part of life and something you can cope with,” he explained.
He added, “When I first heard about my cancer, I thought, ‘It’s not good news, but I need to do something about it.’ Everyone reacts differently to such news, so I say, ‘Be yourself.’”
Louis van Gaal’s journey through health challenges and his candid reflections offer a unique perspective on resilience and life’s unpredictability.
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