Louis van Gaal gave an update on his health situation on Sunday evening. The national coach of Orange did that at the table in the broadcast of Humbertothe talk show where he announced earlier this year that he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
“I am not ashamed of my illness”, Van Gaal responds when asked if he wants to tell how he is doing now. “This is not a disease that you are sick of or that you feel. You have to manage this, that’s really the only problem. But I have enough energy to manage this,” said Van Gaal, who will welcome his selection again tomorrow in Zeist for the Nations League games against Poland and Belgium next week.
“The problem is that you should have control over your urine. That is of course a lot less if your prostate is removed. That has to come back and that takes time. You have to be able to manage that. But luckily things are going well now.”
While preparing the Orange squad for the World Cup, Van Gaal does not feel that he is being hindered by his health situation. ,,In principle, it doesn’t bother me, but that also has to do with energy. I get energy from the boys.”
‘We stand a chance’
Van Gaal is therefore confidently looking forward to the World Cup, which will be played in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. The Orange will take on Senegal, Ecuador and host country Qatar in the group stage. In the coming week, the national coach will again have the opportunity to further tinker with his ideal formation, when the Orange squad takes on Poland (Thursday) and Belgium (Sunday) in the Nations League.
,,I think we have a very good group and there is also a good hierarchy. In terms of individual quality, countries such as England, Germany, France and Spain are further ahead. But I’m trying to make this team the best team. If we’re all pulling the same string, I think we have a good chance. In any case, the players want to do everything they can, my illness may have contributed to that too.”
‘Self-criticism is usually strange to players’
Van Gaal has not written off goalkeeper Justin Bijlow for the World Cup in Qatar. ,,No of course not. That applies to all players. Justin is not playing great at the moment. He knows that himself.”
Van Gaal passed the Feyenoord keeper for the upcoming international matches in the Nations League. Bijlow said after the 4-3 defeat at PSV that he was a bit surprised that he was not selected. ,,I also know that I’m not in top form, but I don’t think I’m in a lesser phase,” he said.
Van Gaal responded to Tan with clear language. ,,What is the difference between a lesser phase and not in top form? Self-criticism is usually strange to players.”
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