Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has revealed that he
had been lined up to replace Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson seven years ago.
The 67-year-old Scot, who has guided the Red Devils to 11
league, five FA Cup and three League Cup titles, as well as the
Champions League in 1999, had originally announced that he was
ready to walk away from Old Trafford at the end of the 2001/02
campaign.
However, he eventually changed his mind, and will oversee United
finally usurping Liverpool's joint-record of 18 league crowns
should they claim a fourth consecutive Premier League gong this
term.
And Bayern boss Van Gaal, who was in charge of the Dutch
national team for the 2002 World Cup before returning to Barcelona
for a second spell, has revealed that he would have been heading to
Manchester instead had Sir Alex retired.
"It was before the World Cup of 2002," he said.
"I was in contact with Manchester United through Peter
Kenyon.
"It was said to me that Alex Ferguson was going to retire.
"The moment he'd go, I'd succeed him. But in the end Ferguson
didn't want to quit."