Van Gaal retiring when tenure ends

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal revealed on Thursday he plans to retire when his reign at Old Trafford comes to an end.

Van Gaal is under contract with United until 2017 and he will walk away from the sport for good either when that deal expires or at the end of any extension.

The 63-year-old former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Netherlands coach is enjoying his spell at United but is keen to end his illustrious managerial career once his tenure is over as he wants to spend time with his wife in their holiday home on the Algarve.

"I am old. This is my last job. For sure," van Gaal said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

"I have to pay attention to my kids, my grandchildren but also to my wife. They deserve it.

"Now I cannot pay that attention. I was not at the birthday of my grandson for example. I don't like it.

"My wife wants me to quit now! Five years ago! I have a paradise in Portugal. I want to quit to go there, play golf, eat fantastic food."

United has played some unimaginative soccer at times this season but it hammered Tottenham 3-0 last weekend to strengthen its hold on fourth place in the Premier League.

Although he has managed European giants like Barcelona and Bayern during his career, van Gaal regards United as the biggest club on the planet.

"We were in the US (in preseason) and we played against Real Madrid, Liverpool, Roma, Inter Milan and LA Galaxy, five matches in three weeks - 300,000 fans and I think 280,000 of them in a red shirt. I know that Manchester United is the biggest club in the world," he said.

"Bigger than Real Madrid? Yes, in terms of global appeal - not history."

(China Daily 03/21/2015 page10)