In the modern era of soccer, very few coaches have managed to survive at the top level for over 20 years. Managers like Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal have accomplished exactly that, and are still doing a great job.

Van Gaal got his first big job at Ajax in 1991 and has managed at great clubs like FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich since. He is known for his enigmatic personality and hilarious press conferences, but the manager recently revealed a battle that he has been fighting for a while now.

The Dutch manager revealed that he had been suffering from Prostate Cancer for a while, and was receiving treatment. Thankfully, van Gaal’s multiple treatments worked, and he has now beaten cancer.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk reacts to the news

Van Gaal did not tell his players about the initial diagnosis, and everyone found out about it only after he announced it to the world in April. The Dutch manager did not want to hinder his players’ performances and kept it from them to help them with their decision-making.

Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk is one of the best players on this Netherland team. He revealed how he took the news and added that Van Gaal is not a person who needs any sympathy.

“I was in shock. I messaged him after the interview (in which he revealed his illness) – it definitely says a lot about him. I said to him that he’s probably not that type of guy that needs a lot of sympathy – that’s how he is,” van Dijk said.

The Dutch national team would give their all for Louis Van Gaal

However, even though van Gaal might not like sympathy, the Dutch national team will be there for him as a group. Van Dijk promised that the upcoming World Cup in Qatar will be one that Louis van Gaal would never forget.

“But I told him as well that we are definitely going to be there for him as a group whenever he needs it and that hopefully, we can also make it, for him, a World Cup to never forget,” van Dijk added.

How far do you think Netherland will go in the World Cup?

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