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LOuis van Gaal has prostate cancer. The coach of the Dutch national soccer team announced this on Sunday evening during a television appearance. In an interview for a forthcoming documentary about him, the 70-year-old former Bundesliga coach of FC Bayern Munich reported on an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer and 25 radiation treatments to date.
“You see, prostate cancer doesn’t kill you. Normally you die from the underlying diseases,” he said on the show Humberto. “But it is an aggressive form. I’ve had 25 radiation treatments – it takes a lot of management to get through life.”
He was diagnosed in 2020. Therapy began a year later. Van Gaal received “great treatment” with preferential treatment.
“I was allowed in and out through the back entrance. And if I went to an appointment, I was immediately allowed to go to another room,” he quoted the “image” from the interview.
“I had to pass many tests in my life”
So far, he has kept the illness a secret from the country’s national players so as not to influence the group. The Netherlands have qualified for the World Cup in Qatar and are in a group with the hosts. Van Gaal said he wanted to continue in his role as Bonds coach. He has great willpower and being able to work with the professionals is a gift for him in old age.
“It’s part of my life,” said van Gaal about his illness. “I have had to pass so many tests in my life, illness and death, I have probably become richer as a person through all these experiences.” In March, van Gaal tested positive for the corona virus.
Van Gaal is the head coach of his home country’s national team for the third time in his career. He also coached FC Bayern for almost two years and was also responsible for Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona, Manchester United and AZ Alkmaar during his career. He won the Champions League with Ajax.