Netherlands Coaching Search: Van Gaal Comments

Louis van Gaal says he would consider coaching Netherlands again

Van Gaal surprised by lack of interest in Netherlands Job. At 75, Van Gaal not ruling out fourth spell as Netherlands Coach.

Van Gaal On Netherlands Job, “I always want to help KNVB”

Louis van Gaal says he hasn’t ruled out another stint in charge of the Netherlands, with speculation growing over who will succeed Ronald Koeman.

The 74-year-old, who turns 75 on Saturday, has already managed the Dutch three times. He led them to the World Cup semi-finals in 2014 and came back in 2022 to take them to the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Van Gaal hasn’t taken a full-time job since then. In that time he’s battled cancer and worked as a consultant for Ajax Amsterdam’s board.

 

“I always want to help the KNVB (Dutch football association), just as I wanted to do at Ajax. And with a squad like that, there are possibilities, and I think that the Netherlands could potentially still become European or world champions, because 95% of the squad plays abroad and mostly at good clubs,” Van Gaal told Voetbal International magazine.

Van Gaal added, though, that he hasn’t heard anything from the Dutch FA and said he was surprised by how few candidates seem keen on the national team job.

Former Liverpool boss Arne Slot is said to have turned down the role last week, and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly did the same. Koeman stepped down after the Netherlands were knocked out by Morocco in the World Cup round of 32 earlier this year.

🚨 LOUIS VAN GAAL 🇳🇱 EST PRÊT À DISCUTER POUR REVENIR SUR LE BANC DES PAYS-BAS ! 👔🔙

Il se sent plus en forme que jamais.

De plus, il connaît une grande partie de la sélection.

🗞️ @telegraaf pic.twitter.com/ItF0AfRnF4

— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) August 3, 2026

According to Dutch media, KNVB technical director Nigel de Jong - who is leading the search for Koeman’s replacement held lengthy discussions on Sunday with Michael Reiziger. The ex-Barcelona and AC Milan full-back currently coaches the Netherlands Under-21s.

“The only thing at play is that they can't find anyone at the moment, and then my name comes up again. I find that unbelievable in a way,” Van Gaal added.

“Four years ago at the Qatar World Cup, we lost on penalties in the quarter-finals, and 'they' didn't ‌think our football was good enough. And those people see me as the ideal man now? Anyway, I don't know at all ‌what the KNVB wants, and I have already been national coach three times, so if I ever do something as a trainer again, you probably shouldn't look for it in the Netherlands. Although you never know with me. I feel fitter than ⁠four years ago.”

Van Gaal has also managed at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United during his coaching career.