Louis van Gaal Confirmed As Manchester United Manager

Manchester United have today confirmed Louis van Gaal as their new manager, with club legend Ryan Giggs joining him as an assistant. The current Netherlands coach will start his role at the end of Holland's World Cup campaign in Brazil, and has signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford. Van Gaal told the club's official website: "It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League. 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."

United vice-chairman Ed Woodward added:

"In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today. He has achieved many things in his career to date and Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story."

Van Gaal, 62, replaces David Moyes as Red Devils boss, one month to the week that the Scot was fired after a disastrous season that saw the club finish seventh in the Premier League. United will miss out on the Champions League for the first time since 1995-96 as a result, and will not compete in European football altogether for the first time in quarter of a century. The announcement brings to an end long-standing speculation as to who would replace Moyes, with Giggs, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp all linked to the vacancy. Giggs took over in an interim role following Moyes's sacking and will now take his place as van Gaal's No.2. Van Gaal has won titles in three different countries with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and won the Champions League with an Ajax side containing former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.