It’s part of my life: Van Gaal

Coach Louis reveals battle with prostate cancer, but insists he’ll guide Netherlands at Qatar World Cup

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says he has prostate cancer and has been receiving treatment, but still plans to lead his team at the World Cup in Qatar in seven months’ time. 

Players unaware

Van Gaal, 70, told RTL television on Sunday that the players “don’t know it,” adding he has undergone 25 bouts of radiotherapy, including during training camps with the Dutch team. The players “think I’m in good health, but I’m not,” said the former Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Ajax coach, who began treatment last year after his diagnosis in 2020. 

“It’s part of my life,” he added in an interview marking the upcoming release of a film about his life, entitled LOUIS. “I’ve been through so much in my life, sickness and death, I’ve probably become richer as a person because of all those experiences.” 

Multiple health issues

Last week, it was announced that Van Gaal had tested positive for COVID-19. In 2021, he broke his hip when he fell off his bike. 

Van Gaal, in his third term as head coach of the Dutch national side, sparked controversy last month when he described the decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar “ridiculous”, accusing FIFA of being motivated by “money and commercial interests.”

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