Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed he’s cancer-free after successful treatment.
The 73-year-old, who managed United for 2 years and won the FA Cup in his final game in charge, made his prostate cancer diagnosis public before the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign in 2022.
Van Gaal received treatment during his third stint as head coach of the Dutch national side but didn’t tell his players that he was affected by cancer until seven months before the beginning of the tournament in Qatar.
The Dutchman resigned after the Netherlands’ World Cup exit and has not returned to management, although he’s now a special adviser to Ajax.
‘Two years ago, I had a number of surgeries, and it was all bad, including my fitness, but it surely all turned out well,’ Van Gaal said on Humberto Tan’s RTL show on Friday night.
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‘I’m not bothered by the cancer but I still have check-ups every three months. My PSA level is measured and it’s 0.0. That’s going well, and the spread has also remained limited. I’m getting fitter and fitter. I’m 73, so I look good, don’t I?’
Van Gaal also admitted he felt ‘ashamed’ after he wet himself at an awards ceremony during his treatment stage in May 2022.
‘I haven’t experienced that much pain but I’m a really clean boy,’ Van Gaal said.
‘Back then, it was incredibly painful that I needed to let every part go and walk around in diapers.
‘I make quite a lot of public appearances, and I’d wear very dark trousers to cover it. That’s not nice because I’m still a public figure. When that happens to you, it’s not nice.
‘I had at hand out trophies on behalf of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and I just wet my pants.
‘No one says anything to me about it, but I’m ashamed of it. That’s all behind me now, so I can manage it thoroughly.’
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