Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has announced that his treatment for prostate cancer has been successful.
Van Gaal announced his battle with the illness earlier in April, whilst promoting his new film, ‘LOUIS’. The 70-year-old explained that he had kept his illness secret from his players.
He said: “In each period during my time as manager of the national team I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now, while thinking I was healthy, but I am not.
“I think you don’t tell people you work with like that because it might influence their choices, their decisiveness. So I thought they shouldn’t know.”
Tributes and support immediately poured in for van Gaal. Amongst them were messages from his former clubs, Manchester United and Barcelona.
Meanwhile, former United striker Wayne Rooney tweeted: “Gutted to hear the sad news about Louis van Gaal. Sending best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery. Get well soon, boss.”
Van Gaal announces prostate cancer treatment success
Speaking to Dutch news outlet ANP, van Gaal has revealed that the treatment he has been undergoing has been successful.
He stated: “I’ve been through everything. I had 25 radiation treatments. Then I had to wait five or six months to see if it had done its job. It did.”
Van Gaal will take charge of the Dutch national team for the final time in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He has already announced he will be stepping down at the tournament’s conclusion. Ronald Koeman will be his replacement.
Netherlands have been drawn into Group A for the tournament. They will take on Senegal, Ecuador and hosts Qatar.
Opening up further about his illness, van Gaal explained: “You don’t die from prostate cancer, at least not in 90 per cent of the cases. It is usually underlying diseases that kill you.
“But I had a pretty aggressive form, got irradiated 25 times. Then you have a lot of management to do in order to go through life.
“I did have preferential treatment in the hospital. I was allowed in through the back door when I went to an appointment and was immediately pushed into another room.”
He added: “I have been treated wonderfully. You will, of course, tell your friends and relatives about it. The fact that nothing has come out yet also says something about my environment. That’s great.”
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