Recovered Louis van Gaal 'open' to fourth stint as Netherlands manager

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a] have been without a manager since [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/koeman-ronald/vHeYAvb2/"]Ronald Koeman[/a]'s resignation in July. The former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]Everton[/a] manager quit his job after his side's round-of-32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/morocco/IDKYO3R8/"]Morocco[/a] beat the Netherlands on penalties.[/p][p]The Dutch FA (KNVB) has tried and failed to reel in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bosz-peter/Ak7J86g1/"]Peter Bosz[/a], Erik ten Hag, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guardiola-pep/hxNijWrJ/"]Pep Guardiola[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/slot-arne/lnG1OUjk/"]Arne Slot[/a], leaving them with none of their top options.[/p][p]Van Gaal, 74, has led the Netherlands in 63 games across three separate stints, including at the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. [i]Oranje[/i] finished third in 2014 and were eliminated by later champions [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] in the quarterfinals in 2022. The Netherlands won 33 games under Van Gaal, losing only 6 and staying undefeated in 20 straight games in his last tenure.[/p][image alt="Louis van Gaal (2-L) on the bench during the Netherlands' quarterfinal match against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup" id="0720b690-a9da-4cce-bc43-a0eea375f47d" credit-line="Photo by AYMAN AREF / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP" guid="341f60cd-3583-4477-9a73-f43551e06eda" original-width="3112" original-height="2077" /][p]The former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ajax/8UOvIwnb/"]Ajax[/a], Barcelona, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]Manchester United[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] manager has been out of a job since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as he was dealing with health issues. According to [a href="https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/voetbal/louis-van-gaal-74-bereid-om-met-knvb-in-gesprek-te-gaan/159524997.html"][i][b]De Telegraaf[/b][/i][/a], he's overcome those issues and is open to a fourth stint as Netherlands manager.[/p][p]Van Gaal had been acting as an advisor to Ajax's Supervisory Board, but stepped down from that role in July after three years.[/p][p]Van Gaal will only step in if he's approached by the KNVB and will not put himself forward, De Telegraaf reported.[/p][p]The Netherlands have been drawn into [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/soccer/europe/uefa-nations-league/"]Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League[/a] and will face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/serbia/8Kl6iq0i/"]Serbia[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/greece/COuk57Ci/"]Greece[/a] between September and November.[/p][infobox id="383e2abc-afe3-4139-8e06-aa4254ac57ee" /]