Louis van Gaal retires from football at 67 three-years after Man Utd sacking
Dutchman calls time in hugely-successful career that included spells in charge of Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Holland's national team
LOUIS VAN GAAL has announced his retirement from football - almost three years after being sacked by Manchester United.
The Dutchman had two seasons in charge at Old Trafford, but made way two days after United won the 2016 FA Cup.
Van Gaal, 67, led the Red Devils to fourth and fifth-place finishes in the Premier League.
He has since been offered other jobs, including the chance to manage Feyenoord next season, but has instead opted to hang up his tracksuit.
Van Gaal told Dutch TV show VTBL: "I am a pensioner now. I have no ambition to be a technical director or a TV pundit.
"My wife Truus gave up her job for me 22 years ago, and followed me when I went abroad.
"I told her I would quit as a coach when I turned 55, but instead kept going until I was 65.
"She is entitled to have a life with me outside of football. I can say she is very happy.
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"I think I could have worked as a technical director.
"But in this role you can't attend training or say anything for fear it won't suit the coach, directors or media. I don't think I want a job like that."
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Amsterdam-born Van Gaal had two spells as Holland's national coach.
He also managed Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich before replacing David Moyes at United in 2014.
Van Gaal famously led his hometown team to the Champions League in 1995 and his country to a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup.
A number of fans from his former clubs were keen to wish Van Gaal all the best in retirement.
A Manchester United supporter wrote: "Happy retirement to Louis van Gaal. It didn’t work with us but loved him. Can’t say the same about Moyes or Mourinho."
While a Bayern Munich follower tweeted: "The man who made Bayern a top team again. Thank you Louis van Gaal."
And another Red Devil commented: "Nothing but respect for Van Gaal.";