Louis van Gaal Announces He is Cancer-Free After Prostate Cancer Battle

Louis van Gaal, the former Manchester United manager, has revealed that he is now cancer-free after a grueling battle with aggressive prostate cancer. The 73-year-old football legend shared the positive update during an appearance on the Dutch TV show Humberto, marking a significant milestone in his health journey.

Van Gaal underwent multiple surgeries over the past few years to combat the disease. Reflecting on his recovery, he said, "I'm no longer bothered by cancer. Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end." He also mentioned that he continues to have regular check-ups, which have been progressing well, and he is feeling stronger every day.

During his time as the Netherlands national team manager, Van Gaal chose to keep his diagnosis private to avoid affecting his players' performances. "I didn't want to tell it to my players because it could have influenced their performance," he explained. "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 out until now."

Van Gaal stepped down from his role as the Netherlands boss in 2022 and has since taken on an advisory position at Ajax, the club he famously led to Champions League glory in 1995. His illustrious managerial career includes stints at top European clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup in 2016 despite mixed league performances.

Speaking about his approach to managing his illness, Van Gaal compared it to coaching a football team. "I read up on the subject. I know most men don’t die of prostate cancer, at least in 90 per cent of cases. Why would I be the one to die? Just as you have to manage a football team, you have to manage this disease," he told The Athletic.

Van Gaal’s career is decorated with numerous accolades, including Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Eredivisie titles. His resilience both on and off the pitch continues to inspire fans and players alike as he celebrates this personal victory over cancer.