Former Man United boss Louis van Gaal reveals he has prostate cancer

Louis van Gaal has revealed he’s suffering from prostate cancer.

The former Manchester United boss, who’s currently in charge of the Dutch national team, announced the shock news live on Dutch TV.

“In each period during my time as manager of the national team I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now. While thinking I was healthy. But.. I am not,” the 70-year-old revealed.

“I think you don’t tell people you work with like that because it might influence their choices, their decisiveness,’ added Van Gaal, via Voetbal International.

“So I thought they shouldn’t know. You don’t die from prostate cancer, at least not in 90 per cent of the cases. It is usually other underlying diseases that kill you.

“But I had a pretty aggressive form, got irradiated 25 times. Then you have a lot of management to do in order to go through life.

“I did have preferential treatment in the hospital. I was allowed in through the back door when I went to an appointment and was immediately pushed into another room. I have been treated wonderfully.

“You will of course tell your friends and relatives about it. The fact that nothing has come out yet also says something about my environment. That’s great.”

Van Gaal is due to manage the Netherlands ahead of the World Cup later this year but this news will naturally throw up questions about his status in charge.

Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraans told talkSPORT Ronald Koeman was due to succeed Van Gaal after the tournament, however, the process could now be accelerated.

Van Gaal is widely regarded as one of the iconic coaches in the game, having managed the likes of Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man United. He’s also managed the Netherlands in three different spells.

In his glittering managerial career, Van Gaal has won seven league titles, a Champions League, a UEFA Cup and many other trophies.