Louis Van Gaal confirms he's battling prostate cancer

  Former Manchester United and Barcelona boss, Louis Van Gaal confirms he's battling prostate cancer on a TV show in the Netherlands on ...

 

Former Manchester United and Barcelona boss, Louis Van Gaal confirms he's battling prostate cancer on a TV show in the Netherlands on Sunday. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Netherlands head coach, Louis Van Gaal has announced that he is battling prostate cancer, but the 70-year-old tactician is determined to carry on with his role.

"I have now had four periods as national coach, I went to the hospital in the evening or at night in every period. Without the players knowing," Van Gaal said. "They still see those ruddy cheeks of mine, and think 'What a healthy pear that is.' Well, of course, I am not.

"I don't think you tell the people you work with like that, because that might influence their choices or decisiveness or whatever. I thought they shouldn't know.

"Look, you don't [die from] prostate cancer, at least about 90%. It is usually the underlying diseases that kill you. I did have an aggressive form. I have been irradiated 25 times. Then you have a lot of management to do, and then go through life."

Speaking on a Dutch TV show Humberto, Van Gaal lavished praises on his hospital staff and members of his family for keeping things away from the media and helping him privately to fight this health challenge.

"I had preferential treatment," Van Gaal said. "I was allowed in through the back entrance. If I had to wait, I was immediately put in another room. I had a great treatment.

"You say the same to your friends and family. That also says something about my environment: that they keep their mouths shut. That's clever."

Van Gaal will lead the Netherlands to the World Cup where they will face African champions Senegal and Ecuador. He has won league titles as a manager in Spain, Germany, and his native land, he also led Manchester United to FA Cup glory in 2016 before being fired days later.