As Manchester United prepare to host Wolfsburg, manager Louis van Gaal is confident that they can win the UEFA Champions League this season, labeling the target as “realistic” due to his past records in the competition.
Louis van Gaal won the UEFA Champions League in 1995 with a very young Ajax side and also took Bayern to the final in 2010.
His contract is set to expire in 2017. While he has not ruled out an extension, time is running out for the Dutchman to repeat his European achievements at United, who were not in the Champions League in his first season in charge.
Van Gaal aims for Champions League glory
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When asked at the press conference, ahead of the Wolfsburg game, if he could lift the trophy by 2017, Van Gaal was quoted saying by ESPN FC: “I hope so. That is realistic, because I did it everywhere.”
“Reaching the final is an aim and winning the final [needs] a little bit [of] luck,” he said. “It is not only quality, it is also luck and I think Manchester United knows and remembers that fantastically when they win the Champions League.
Van Gaal does not rule out continuing at Manchester United
The United manager revealed that he has made a commitment to his wife about retiring after the next season. But, went on to add that nothing is certain in football.
“Normally I shall leave after next year but what is normal in our football world?” he added. “You never know so I cannot answer that question, but I promised my wife to go with her to our paradise so it shall be very hard for me to deny that promise.
“I was 55 and I [went] to Bayern Munich and next year I am 65, and it shall be very hard to say to my wife that I stay a year longer.”