US Edition Louis van Gaal claimed he and Ryan Giggs were ready to “make history” at Manchester United after Giggs announced his playing retirement in order to work as the new manager’s assistant at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal, the Holland coach, was confirmed as having signed a three-year contract to succeed the sacked David Moyes on Monday after being identified as one of the “outstanding managers in the game” by Ed Woodward, the United executive vice-chairman.
“The aim is to bring them back to the No 1 position as soon as possible, because that’s where they were under Sir Alex Ferguson,” Van Gaal told Dutch television on Monday night.
“United is the biggest club in the world. Marketing-wise, but also if you look at their budget. They have to finish high.”
He may also want to do well for Mrs Van Gaal, as he admitted: “It was retirement, or going to England. My wife, Truus, wanted me to retire. But now we’re going to England.”
While the 62-year-old will be expected to restore United to the Champions League and challenge for the Premier League title in his first season, he has been assured by the owners, the Glazers, that substantial funds will be made available to recruit top-class players this summer.
“We don’t talk about money,” Van Gaal said. “We talk about the players I want. We’ll see if we can get them. We also talked about who can go.”
Moves are already being made to sign Southampton defender Luke Shaw and Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos, with interest confirmed in Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas and Paris St-Germain forward Edinson Cavani. Van Gaal is also understood to be keen to pursue Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
But in a nod to United’s success under Ferguson, who Van Gaal will “undoubtedly have a drink with, we’ve done that before, we like each other”, the Dutchman has handed Giggs the chance to prepare himself for the manager’s job at Old Trafford in the future by naming the 40-year-old as his assistant.
Giggs, who made his 963rd and final senior appearance against Hull City this month, is understood to have been hugely impressed by Van Gaal during a meeting with him in Holland last week and he has accepted the No 2 role despite ongoing uncertainty over the futures of coaches and close friends Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.
But with Van Gaal now left to focus on Holland’s World Cup preparations, the former Ajax, Barcelona and
Bayern Munich coach insists he and Giggs will oversee a bright future.
“It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League,” Van Gaal said. “To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud. I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions and together, I’m sure we will make history.”
Woodward, who led the search for Moyes’s successor, was confident that Van Gaal possessed the credentials to deliver an instant improvement.
“In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today,” Woodward said. “Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story. His track record of success in winning leagues and cups across Europe makes him the perfect choice for us.
“People know him as a larger-than-life character, but I have also been extremely impressed by his intelligence, thoughtful approach to the role and his diligence. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Van Gaal’s success in blooding youngsters – he guided Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995 with a team of home-grown players – was also cited as a key element in his appointment by United co-chairman Joel Glazer. But the appointment of Giggs as Van Gaal’s assistant is regarded as a crucial factor in retaining a link to the club’s past. Giggs issued a 365-word open letter to supporters explaining his decision to retire, but the Welshman admitted that he was now focused on working under, and learning from, Van Gaal on the coaching side of the game.
“I am thrilled to have the chance to serve as assistant manager,” Giggs said. “Louis van Gaal is a world-class coach and I know I will learn a lot about coaching from being able to observe and contribute at such close quarters. Manchester United has been a huge part of my life and I’m delighted to be able to continue that relationship in such a key role.”
With Van Gaal installing goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek and opposition scout Marcel Bout to his United backroom team, former England goalkeeper Chris Woods will not be retained as goalkeeping coach. United are keen to offer roles to Butt, Scholes and Neville, but as yet, none of those members of the club’s famed Class of ’92 have been given an indication of the jobs they may be asked to fulfil.