World Cup: Van Gaal steps down as the Netherlands coach

Louis van Gaal in a statement via The Athletic confirmed he’s stepping down as the Netherlands manager after their defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals.

Van Gaal added that he “does not care” who goes on to win the World Cup.

Van Gaal, 71, became the Netherlands national team manager for the third time in August 2021, when he revealed his intention to step down after the Qatar World Cup.

“First and foremost I won’t be continuing,” he said in his post-match press conference following the defeat.

“I only did it for this period of time. This was my very last match of my third term as head coach.

“In that time I coached 20 matches and we didn’t lose a single one. I don’t know how many matches we won, but you can Google ‘Louis van Gaal, Dutch team’ and see the goal difference for yourself.”

He added: “I look back on it in a very positive way. With England we were the only team that was unbeaten. I don’t think we have been beaten today. It was only a penalty shootout.”

Van Gaal won 14 of his 20 matches with six draws as the Netherlands coach.