Manchester United have made their first move towards finding a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson with an approach to former Holland coach Louis Van Gaal, it was reported today.
Van Gaal, who guided Ajax to European Cup success in 1995, was approached by United representatives as they try to find a successor to Ferguson, who will retire at the end of the season, the Daily Expressreported.
The former Barcelona coach, who resigned as the Holland national coach last month after failing to guide them to the 2002 World Cup finals, has also previously expressed a interest in the Old Trafford job.
"I can imagine that a club like Manchester United would be interested in Louis van Gaal," he has been quoted as saying in the British press.
Van Gaal, 50, is free to talk to United, whilst the other rumoured candidates - AS Roma coach Fabio Capello, Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, Celtic coach Martin O'Neill, Leeds United coach David O'Leary and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson - are all under contract with their current sides.
AFP