Under-fire Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that he will be in charge at Old Trafford next season. Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s match against Leicester, he also said that he had been given a three-year contract by the club although he asked for a two-year deal.
The Dutch manager’s position at Old Trafford has been under constant speculation this season, especially after many dull performances and the possibility of missing out on Champions League football. Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has been constantly linked with the job and reports have claimed that he has already agreed a contract with the Manchester Club.
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Louis van Gaal has come out fighting about the constant speculation about his job saying that the club offered him a three-year contract as they knew the magnitude of the job that he would have to do at Manchester United.
Defending his position, Louis van Gaal said, “Of course they knew it would be hard. That is why they have hired me.” He added that he had wanted a two-year contract but the club had insisted on offering him a three year one. “We spoke about that (at the start) and we have a process of three years. I want to sign for two years, they want three years, not I”, he said.
Confirming he was to stay for another season, he added, “I have signed for three years so next year you see me again.”
Understanding that Champions League football was important for a club like Manchester United, he said, “I am a realistic man and I only speak about facts, there are a lot of positives but now we are one position less than last year and that position is very important for the club, the most important position."
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Louis van Gaal took over the club after David Moyes’ disastrous reign which had seen Manchester United turn into an Everton of sorts, signing Marouane Fellaini and finishing in seventh position in the league and out of Europe for the first time in twenty years.
He steered the club to Champions League football in his first season at Old Trafford. This season, however, the club is struggling to qualify for the Champions League, languishing in sixth place behind West Ham, who are fifth and Manchester City, who currently occupy fourth place.
Leicester City visit Old Trafford on Sunday in what is bound to be a crunch game for both teams. Leicester could win the title at the with a win while United, on the other hand, need to win the game to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
