Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is reportedly being targeted by the Dutch FA for a senior role in the Netherlands setup. Van Gaal, who previously worked as the Dutch manager during the nation's 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign, guided his country to the semi-finals where they lost to Argentina.
Finishing in third place, the Dutch put in an impressive showing throughout the tournament which led to Van Gaal’s eventual appointment at Manchester United.
But the Dutchman has had a torrid time in England and has largely been criticised by fans for his tactics and squad selection. Despite being only one point from the top four, the club has just 12 wins from 32 matches and has been knocked out of the Champions League, Europa League and Capital One Cup.
According to The Independent, the Dutch FA are keeping a close eye on Van Gaal’s situation and would be keen to appoint the Dutchman as the technical director of the country’s new football centre of excellence.
The Dutch have endured an incredible downturn in form since the 2014 FIFA World Cup. A disappointing Euro 2016 qualification campaign under Guus Hiddink and then current head coach Danny Blind saw the team miss out on the tournament completely.
Following Netherlands’ poor showing on the road to the tournament, the country’s director of professional football, Bert van Oostveen, targeted Van Gaal as the man to help turn things around for the former football superpower.
According to the reports, Van Oostveen is confident Van Gaal will leave Manchester United in the summer and believes he can convince him to take on the role. Current head coach Danny Blind, who worked alongside Van Gaal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, previously told Algemeen Dagblad that he would welcome the appointment.
"With Van Gaal I could achieve a lot," he said.
"He is in the top category. But there are also many other options to think of where the shoe could fit... I do not know if that will happen.”
As speculation rises about Van Gaal being replaced by Jose Mourinho, it is widely believed that Van Gaal will look at retirement when his Manchester United career comes to an end. However, a job away from the spotlight in his home country could be an appealing option for the Dutchman, and following Netherlands’ impressive performance during his last reign, he would most likely be welcomed with open arms.
