Manchester United have finally confirmed what the footballing world has known for much of the last month – that Louis van Gaal is to take over as boss.
The 62-year-old will join his new troops at Old Trafford after his World Cup campaign with Holland having agreed a three-year deal.
Red Devils legend Ryan Giggs has been appointed as the Dutchman’s assistant manager after overseeing the last four fixtures of the 2013/14 campaign as interim player/manager.
United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: “In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today.
“He has achieved many things in his career to date and Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story.”
Van Gaal joins #mufc on a three-year contract and says: “To manage the biggest club in the world makes me very proud.” #vangaalmufc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 19, 2014
The announcements comes as little surprise after the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich has been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester since Moyes’ abrupt dismissal.
Van Gaal is an avid promoter of attacking football, educated in the best traditions of ‘total footbal’ by Ajax and the Dutch national team of the 1970s.
The veteran has won various major trophies including on 2009/10 when he grasped the Bundesliga title and lost the Champions League final with Bayern Munich.
The current experienced boss has also been acknowledged for his success picking up the accolades of German Manager of the year in 2010 and World Soccer Manager in 1995.
The new United boss is expected to be given significant transfer war-chest in order to bring in a wealth of new talent that can propel the Red Devils back up to the upper echelons of the Premier League.
However, during several periods in his career, Van Gaal has had his troubles with the media and is renown to be very blunt with the media.
Image courtesy of OnsOranje via YouTube, with thanks.
