10 greatest managerial comebacks

#7 Louis van Gaal (Dutch National Team)

Louis van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup

Despite his failings as Manchester United’s manager, Louis van Gaal’s spell at the Dutch National Team was nothing short of miraculous.

Van Gaal first stepped up to manage the Netherlands at the beginning of the millennium ahead of the World Cup. But he couldn’t work his magic as Netherlands failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. He decided to leave the post in 2002 and went on to manage sides like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

With the Netherlands finishing the Euro 2012 with zero points, they were in dire need of a manager who could take them to the 2014 World Cup. And van Gaal was the man for the job as he returned ten years after leaving the post in the first place.

The Netherlands qualified for the World Cup with an incredible 34 goals scored and just five conceded. In the World Cup, one of his greatest moments came in the quarterfinals when he brought on goalkeeper and match-winner Tim Krul in the dying minutes of the game against Costa Rica.

Van Gaal led them to the semi-finals where they lost to Argentina on penalties. However, they secured the third place after they defeated hosts Brazil. Van Gaal's tenure ended after the World Cup, and his departure has coincided with a steep decline in the nation's performances.