Netherlands international manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed the 25 radiation treatments he has received to treat his prostate cancer have "done [their] job".
The former Manchester United and Barcelona boss shared details of his diagnosis during a live TV appearance in early April. United themselves sent a message of support, wishing the Dutchman "strength and courage", while similar well-wishes followed from a number of others who have played under the well-travelled boss.
Van Gaal revealed he had initially kept the diagnosis from his players as he embarked on hospital treatment, saying he was "treated wonderfully" when attending hospital appointments, but eventually felt the need to make his health situation public. The 70-year-old, who will leave his current post after the World Cup, has now confirmed the success of the multiple treatments he has undergone in an effort to beat what he called a "particularly aggressive" form of prostate cancer.
"I've been through everything," Van Gaal told ANP (via ESPN ). "I had 25 radiation treatments. Then I had to wait five or six months to see if it had done its job. It did."
The update comes after he explained why he was initially keen to keep his diagnosis private. "I think you don't tell people you work with like that because it might influence their choices, their decisiveness," he said, via Voetbal International.
Van Gaal is currently in his third spell in charge of the Dutch national side. He famously missed out on qualification for the 2002 World Cup, but then led his country to the semi-finals of the 2014 tournament, losing to Argentina in a penalty shoot-out.
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He also got the Oranje over the line in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, having taken over from Frank de Boer after Euro 2020. The Netherlands needed two late goals to get past Norway in their final game to narrowly finish top of their group.
The Dutch side have been drawn in the same group as host nation Qatar at the World Cup, which begins in November. They will also be up against Ecuador and Senegal, two nations they have never faced in a competitive fixture.
Van Gaal had predicted his team would face the hosts, and later told NOS (via Football-Oranje ): "That was a guess, but it’s nice that the guess will come true. It’s a colourful draw.
"I have not been to Qatar and Senegal that often... I have never been to Ecuador," he continued. "I don’t know those countries either, so I can’t really say anything about them. Fortunately, we have very good scouts, who have to analyse the opponents. So far they have done a fantastic job because we haven’t lost yet…”
