MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — Manchester United have finally confirmed that Louis van Gaal will take over as manager of the club, while Ryan Giggs will will be the assistant manager, the club confirmed on Monday.
“It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League,” the new manager, who has had success with the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, said. “To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud.
“I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are.
“This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I’m sure we will make history.”
Van Gaal, who was constantly linked with the club since the start of the month, replaces David Moyes, who was sacked with four day games left in the season.
Manchester United confirmed that the current Dutch national team head boss signed a three-year contract and will take up his post after the Fifa World Cup in Brazil this summer.
“Louis van Gaal will take over as manager of Manchester United from the 2014/15 season. He has signed a three-year contract,” the club said in a statement on www.manutd.com.
“Louis, 62, has managed at the top level of European football for over 20 years and in that time has won domestic titles and domestic cups in three countries, as well as the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and domestic Super Cups in Holland and Germany.
“He will take up his post after the FIFA World Cup, where he will manage the Dutch national team.”
The statement added: “Ryan Giggs, English football’s most decorated footballer and the United player with most appearances in the club’s history, has been appointed as assistant manager. Ryan took charge of the first team for the last four matches of the 2013/14 season.”
Manchester United said Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout will join Van Gaal as assistant coaches.
Hoek is the current Netherlands’ goalkeeping coach and has worked with the like of former Man United keeper Edwin van der Sar and out going Barcelona skipper Victor Valdes. His appointment as new coach means that Chris Wood, who came in with David Moyes will now leave the club.
Bout joins as assistant coach, and has previously worked for Bayern Munich, Telstar, AZ, FC Volendam and Feyenoord.
Career at a glance
Played With: Royal Antwerp, Telstar, Sparta Rotterdam, AZ Alkmaar
Manager For: 1991-97 Ajax; 1997-2000 Barcelona; 2000-02 Netherlands; 2002-03 Barcelona; 2005-09 AZ Alkmaar; 2009-10 Bayern Munich; 2012–14 Netherlands
Honours: Ajax: UEFA Cup 1991/92, KNVB Cup 1992/93, Eredivisie 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, UEFA Champions League 1994/95, UEFA Super Cup 1995, Intercontinental Cup 1995
Honours: Barcelona: La Liga 1997/98, 1998/99, Copa del Rey 1997/98, UEFA Super Cup 1997
Honours: AZ: Eredivisie 2008/09; Bayern Munich: Bundesliga 2009/10, DFB-Pokal 2009/10
