Football: Van Gaal returns as Dutch coach

“It’s the challenge I have been waiting for,” Gaal said.

THE HAGUE: Veteran former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal was appointed as the Dutch national squad’s new manager following Bert van Marwijk’s resignation last week after a woeful Euro 2012 campaign. “The Dutch Royal Football Federation (KNVB) this evening reached an agreement with van Gaal over his appointment as the coach of the Dutch national eleven,” said the KNVB in a statement. “Van Gaal has signed a contract that will link him from August 1 this year until the end of the World Cup in 2014.” In van Gaal’s first comments since being appointed, he sounded pleased. “It’s the challenge I have been waiting for,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2012.