THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has played down speculation that he will manage Manchester United next season, saying Wednesday that he has other options open as he seeks a job for after the World Cup.
Van Gaal told Dutch media that he hasn’t made a decision about his future.
The 62-year-old Dutchman is stepping down as national team coach after the World Cup in Brazil and has been widely tipped to take over at Old Trafford to replace the sacked David Moyes.
“There are more clubs interested. I have more options,” Van Gaal said at a Netherlands training session. “It is a process we’re in and everybody has to wait patiently on my choice and that of the clubs.”
Tottenham also has been linked with Van Gaal, who is regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe after winning domestic titles in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany, the latter two as coach of Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He also won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax.
United is ready to wait until the end of the Premier League season, which finishes on Sunday, before making an announcement on Moyes’ successor.
“There is no deal yet,” Van Gaal told respected Dutch football magazine Voetbal International. “There are papers that write I have already signed, there are even assistants named. It’s a pity it goes this way.
“There are more clubs interested in Louis van Gaal. We will see which choice I make and which choice the clubs make.”
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