Louis van Gaal, who is renowned for his difficult relationship with the press, says that if AZ wins the Championship "it will be his greatest achievement as coach". He promised the team the championship title from the start. Even his second wife Truusje didn't believe him, "That club will never win." It is a David and Goliath achievement, as the provincial club only has a fraction of the budget Ajax has at its disposal.
Calibre
In the interview Mr van Gaal expresses his wish to become coach of "an attractive country". His contract already stipulates that he can leave AZ if England, Germany, Argentina, Spain or the Netherlands asks him to coach one of their national teams. He does not completely rule out coaching at club level, although if he does it would have to be one with the calibre of Real Madrid or Bayern München.
Mr van Gaal coached the Dutch national team between 2000 and 2002 with little success. Under his leadership the orange team failed to qualify for the World Cup. Before that he coached Ajax (1994-1996) and Barcelona (1998-1999).
Footsteps
If Mr van Gaal achieves his goal, he'll be following in the footsteps of a number of Dutch football coaches who have pursued an international career. Here are some of the most high profile ones:
 |
In 2002 Guus Hiddink took hosts South Korea to fourth place in the FIFA 2002 World Cup. Then he moved on to the Australian team where fans affectionately chanted "Gooooos" during certain moments during play. He currently coaches the Russian team and has been drafted in to rescue Chelsea's season by the club's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. Mr Hiddink got Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals in the country's best performance since the break up of the Soviet Union. |
 |
Leo Beenhakker has coached Saudi Arabia in the past as well as being involved in Spanish football. The Spanish nickname him "Don Leo" because of his taste in big cigars. In 2006, he took Trinidad and Tobago to the World Cup. He currently has a contract with Poland until 2010. His contract was prolonged after he helped Poland qualify for the first time in the European Championships in 2008. |
 |
Martin Jol currently coaches Germany's Hamburger SV, currently in second place in the Bundesliga. He was previously manager of English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur from 2004-2007. |
 |
In 2006 Frank Rijkaard helped Barcelona win the Champions League, making him the only person to win the championship both as player and coach. But he resigned two years later after failing to bring the club any further success. |
 |
In 1996 Ruud Gullit joined Chelsea as player manager. A year later the team won the FA Cup, its first major trophy in 26 years. But his stint with Newcastle was less successful, and he resigned five games into his second season. He also tried his luck in the US, but resigned after just a year with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Mr Gullit is currently pursuing a media career. |