Van Gaal refuses to rule out management return amid links to big job

He had already retired from management before he took the gig with the national team in 2021 and now he is back in retirement, but already admits it might not last.

The Portugal job is now vacant after the departure of Fernando Santos following the nation’s defeat to Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Van Gaal is not the obvious choice, with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas also linked with the role, but the Dutchman has been touted as the man for the job by some.

The veteran coach called Dutch radio station 3FM Serious Request n the Glass House in Amersfoort to donate to their charity campaign and was asked about links to the Portugal job.

‘I’m retired again,’ Van Gaal said. ‘But if they call me, I’ll listen. That’s all I can say.’

Van Gaal has also been asked about the Belgium job, which is now available as well after Roberto Martinez leaving the role and he had a similar answer to that proposal.

However, the former Manchester United boss says that neither answer was a ‘flirt’ but simply an honest response.

‘That was not a flirt, questions were asked about it,’ he said. ‘I can’t help that, I have to answer that. I’m not flirting with Portugal right now either.’

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