Louis van Gaal confirmed as new Oranje coach ahead of Qatar qualifiers

Louis van Gaal last year. Photo: Robin van Lonkhuijsen ANP
Louis van Gaal last year. Photo: Robin van Lonkhuijsen ANP

As expected, the Dutch football association KNVB has appointed Louis van Gaal as national coach for the third time. Van Gaal, 69, has been charged with ensuring Oranje qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Van Gaal replaces Frank de Boer, who resigned after this year’s disappointing European Championship performance. He brings with him Danny Blind, Henk Fraser and Frans Hoek as his technical crew.

Van Gaal coached Oranje between 2000 and 2002, when Oranje failed to qualify for the World Cup. He was more successful during his 2012 – 2014 tenure when the Dutch placed third at the World Cup in Brazil.

Van Gaal left the Netherlands to coach Manchester United, a post he was dismissed from in 2016 following a string of losses. He announced his retirement from the sport in 2017 and hasn’t held a top job since.

Van Gaal will first appear on the pitch on September 1, when the Netherlands meet Norway in their qualification match. Later that week the Dutch will also take on Montenegro and Turkey.

The new coach said he considered it an honour to take charge of the national team. ‘There is little time until the next qualifying matches, which are crucial for participation in the World Cup,’ he said. ‘The focus is therefore 100% on the players and the approach. After all, that’s what I was appointed for.’

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation