Louis van Gaal: Claims Dutch manager has agreed deal to join Manchester United denied by club

De Telegraaf report that Van Gaal will be the next manager of United and will be bringing Patrick Kluivert as his number two

Marc Williams
Sunday 27 April 2014 09:36 BST
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Louis van Gaal admits he could be tempted to take on a 'new challenge' when he leaves his role as coach of the Netherlands national team
Louis van Gaal admits he could be tempted to take on a 'new challenge' when he leaves his role as coach of the Netherlands national team (GETTY IMAGES)

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Louis van Gaal has agreed terms to become Manchester United’s next manager and he will be bringing Dutch striking legend Patrick Kluivert with him as his assistant, according to press in the Netherlands, but the club deny any rumours.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has close links to Van Gaal's camp and is reporting that the duo will take charge of United after finalising contract terms in the last couple of days.

United have quashed these rumours, saying: "There is nothing to report. We have not signed a new manager. When we have something to report, we will announce it."

Despite the club denying it, the Dutch paper goes on to state that Van Gaal will be given a £80 million transfer kitty to spend in the summer.

Kluivert played in Van Gaal’s Ajax and Barcelona teams before signing for Newcastle in 2004. The Dutch forward will be part of the backroom staff along with goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek and physio Jos van Dijk, according to De Telegraaf.

While denying these rumours coming out of the Netherlands, the club have also said that there were still "a number of names in the hat" for the David Moyes’ successor.

United host Norwich in the late kick off on Saturday with Ryan Giggs taking charge of the team in the first game since Moyes’ sacking.

The new manager at Old Trafford will also be told he does not have to keep any of the current coaching staff at the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson gave his backing to Giggs, insisting the club should look no further than the 40-year-old Welsh midfielder.

"I think that he [Giggs] is the one man they should go to really," Ferguson said at a charity dinner, according to the Daily Telegraph. "He's got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester United.

"I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He's gone through the gamut of emotions at the club - he's experienced all the highs and lows."

"He knows exactly what's needed to be a Manchester United player and I was so pleased he brought Paul Scholes back in, and Nicky Butt of course - two great professionals.

"They understand the club, they are hard workers, they are straight as a die. So you have got the right combinations there, there's no doubt about that."

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