He is the Chosen One MK II -- and he is hoping to make history of a
more notable kind than his predecessor achieved.
After waiting 27 years to appoint a new
manager, Manchester United's attempts to fill the void left by Alex Ferguson
now focus on Louis van Gaal -- who on Monday was named to succeed David Moyes, sacked in April after enduring a miserable campaign in charge.
While Moyes' short tenure was marked by
morale-sapping defeats against lesser teams United previously brushed aside,
Van Gaal brings an authority earned by stamping his mark on some of the world's
biggest clubs.
"It was always a wish for me to work in
the Premier League," the Dutchman said in a United statement after a
signing a three-year contract with the 20-time English champions.
"To work as a manager for Manchester
United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud.
"I have managed in games at Old Trafford
before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and
knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big
ambitions. Together I'm sure we will make history."
While Moyes arrived at Old Trafford without a
major trophy to his name, Van Gaal, who will step down from his role as
Netherlands coach after the forthcoming World Cup, comes with real European
pedigree.
Making his name as a manager at Ajax, he led
the Dutch club to three Eredivisie titles, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.
The 62-year-old enjoyed further success at
Barcelona -- winning back-to-back La Liga titles -- while another Eredivisie
title followed at AZ Alkmaar, before he claimed a German league-and-cup double
at Bayern Munich.
Van Gaal will be expected to take United back to the summit of English football
after the club slipped from winning the 2012-13 Premier League title by a
margin of 11 points to missing out on Champions League qualification this term,
for the first time since 1995.
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