Louis van Gaal will walk away from Manchester United in 2017, because of promise to his wife

Dutchman does not expect to extend his three-year contract

Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

Louis van Gaal has just two seasons remaining at Manchester United, revealing that he will not extend his contract beyond the three-year deal he signed last summer.

The Dutchman explained to reporters that he had made a promise to his wife about retiring and that he plans to honour it.

Asked if he would give up the job easily, Van Gaal replied: "Yes, I give it up."

When asked for clarification, he said: "Yes. I promised that to my wife. We have not many years together any more. That is the reason. I have to admit I have said to her, when I met her and after our relationship seemed to be very good, then I said at 55 years I shall quit. I am still working and next week I am 64."

Managing Manchester United is one of the top jobs in club management, one that Sir Alex Ferguson found incredibly difficult to give up, but Van Gaal explained that he already feels fulfilled in his career.

"I have done everything in my career as a manager. I have been in the Netherlands, your home country. I have been in Spain, fantastic league. Germany, fantastic league. The only wish was the Premier League. Now I am here. And also to participate in a world championship or European Championship. I have done that. So. I have to go to Qatar to earn still more money? I don't think so. You have to enjoy also your life and your relationship with your wife."

Asked if he plans to win the Premier League before his departure, Van Gaal said: "I hope so. That is why I want to do that in three years."