Louis van Gaal
Dutch association football manager (born 1951) · Netherlands · Footballers
Louis van Gaal is read about 1,318 times a day, in 65 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 390 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?He's called the "Iron Tulip" - a Dutch manager who collected 20 major trophies across five leagues and three national team stints, then retired twice, came back once, and now sits as an advisor at Ajax where it all began.
A life in dates
Also in Deutsch
Photos 8
Louis van Gaal 2014
Actie Gast aan Tafelvoetbal voor dak- en werklozen in Mexico Freek de Jonge, , Bestanddeelnr 933-6827
Actie Gast aan Tafelvoetbal voor dak- en werklozen in Mexico partijtje tafelv, Bestanddeelnr 933-6828
Bestuur Ajax afgetreden v.l.n.r. trainerstrio Louis van Gaal , Barry Hulshoff e, Bestanddeelnr 934-3219
FC Bayern München - Deutscher Meister 2010
GullitvanGaal1983
ING Ballenjongens en -meiden Selectiedag met Bondscoach Louis van Gaal.jpg?width=1200)
Louis van Gaal (4136181545)In their own words 4
, Ben ik nou degene die zo slim is, of zijn jullie zo dom?"Am I the one who is so smart, or are you so stupid?
Hier bij Ajax ligt mijn hart, een club fascinerend, altijd apart. Door velen genoemd naar godenzonen, voor mij de bakermat van voetbaliconen.
Het kan een schat van een man zijn, maar het kan ook een kreng zijn. Want dit doet ie dus."He can be a charming man, but he can be quite nasty too.
Teams 6
Career record
Awards
About this person
Van Gaal played as a midfielder and taught physical education at high schools while semi-pro, then worked his way up through Ajax's coaching ranks until he took the top job in 1991. Over the next six years he won three Eredivisie titles, the UEFA Cup, and the Champions League. He moved to Barcelona in 1997, won two leagues and a Copa del Rey, but clashed with the board and left. A failed World Cup qualifying campaign with the Netherlands in 2002 was followed by another Barcelona stint, then a return to AZ, where he delivered the club's second-ever Eredivisie title. At Bayern Munich he won the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and reached a Champions League final. He led the Netherlands to third place at the 2014 World Cup, then took Manchester United to an FA Cup in 2016 before being sacked days later. He announced retirement in 2019, reversed it in 2021 for a third Netherlands stint, and stepped down for good after the 2022 World Cup.
In common with Louis
Jari LitmanenAlso in Ajax Collection - 1995 (2006)
Frank de BoerAlso in Ajax Collection - 1995 (2006)
Jürgen KloppBoth received Football Manager of the Year
Jürgen KlinsmannBoth received Football Manager of the Year
Jupp HeynckesBoth received Football Manager of the YearKlaus ToppmöllerBoth received Football Manager of the YearFame.am measures public visibility signals. It does not measure human value, talent, morality, or credibility.