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Holland fighting for Louis van Gaal like he is fighting cancer
'He’s a very strong man, outspoken, but we wanted to be there for him,' said Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk
A documentary about Louis van Gaal released a few months ago is full of revealing moments and offers a poignant portrait of a man who has fought bravely through cancer to lead Holland at this World Cup and, in doing so, become the third oldest manager in the 92-year history of the competition. But there is one story, in particular, that offers a lens into his mindset and helps to explain why this indefatigable 71-year-old has an army of young footballers, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, determined to march behind him in Qatar.
Van Gaal’s wife, Truus, is recounting the day when her husband locked his eyes on the doctor who was treating his cancer, a stare so penetrative it could almost strip you naked, and uttered words that left no room for interpretation. “Don’t forget I’ve got a training camp in five days,” Van Gaal said, pointedly. Here was a sick man and his overriding thought was football and getting back to his players and the job in hand.
For a nation who have had such influence on the sport and shaped many of the philosophies we now see at work in the game, it remains slightly incongruous that the famous Oranje have never been crowned world champions. Yet the motivation to scratch that itch has been hardened by a desire to deliver for a manager making what could be the most inspiring of last stands in a coaching career spanning 36 years. That process began with a 2-0 victory over a dogged Senegal on Monday courtesy of late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen. Van Dijk was anticipating another question about the OneLove armband row as he beat a hasty retreat through the mixed zone after the game but his eyes lit up when the subject of Van Gaal was raised instead and the strength of feeling for his manager is clear.
“We are all human beings and when the news came out it was a shock for us, it was tough but it was important we showed our support,” the Liverpool defender said. “He’s a very strong man, outspoken, but we wanted to be there for him. It’s never easy for him to deal with the whole situation but I think he’s dealing with it fantastically. He’s our manager, we will fight for him regardless. He’s a great human being, very direct and we will definitely go that extra yard knowing this is the last World Cup for him.”
It is seven months since Van Gaal revealed on television, to widespread shock, that he was being treated for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, news he had successfully hidden from everyone – his players included – bar those in his inner circle. There had been suspicions of something untoward – the tracksuit that hung more loosely, the gaunter face on one of the most distinctive and grandiose heads in football – but nothing could quite prepare the squad for the realities of Van Gaal’s predicament. He was put through 25 radiation therapy sessions and players would hear stories about how he would go straight from matches to hospital, watching footage back of the games on his phone from his gurney.
If Van Gaal is still feeling pain or discomfort, he is not showing it. Tanned and with the weight back on, he has looked more relaxed than ever in recent days, happily posing for pictures with reporters in advance of the Senegal game. But he has lost none of that directness. Asked about Frenkie de Jong’s performance against the African champions, Van Gaal replied: “It was not his best match but he gives the assist for the winning goal and that is Frenkie de Jong. He’s very important but he has played better.”
As blunt as he can be, though, the players appreciate that there is no grey area with Van Gaal. The Senegal victory extended their unbeaten run under him to 15 matches and earned the “Iron Tulip” his 38th victory over three spells in charge of the national team, more than any Dutch manager in history. “I think he’s great for us,” Nathan Ake, Holland’s Manchester City defender, said. “Under him we haven’t lost yet, we’re on a great run, everything is just clear. We know where we are as a team, everyone knows where they stand, he’s very direct. I think he’s a great coach and hopefully we can go far.
“He’s on to us, he gives us a lot of motivation and belief. I think that’s the most important work he does. He knows us, he trusts us and we trust him so at the moment everything clicks.”
Ake says the courage with which Van Gaal has battled cancer – and his determination to keep working – has served only to inspire the players. “I think so. We have a very tight group anyway but I think because of how honest and clear he is it’s made us tighter because everyone knows exactly where we stand,” Ake said. “Whether you’re on the bench or in the team you know what he wants from you and that makes it very clear and everyone wants to fight for him.”
Vincent Janssen agreed. “He doesn’t talk too much about it – he was very private – but he is very strong,” the striker said. “He is fighting very hard and everyone is fighting hard for each other. Obviously people have stuff going on in their personal lives but I think everyone has been a true inspiration for this team and all together we just try to get our heads in the right direction.”
Van Dijk hopes Senegal proves only the tip of the iceberg for Van Gaal and the team. “He’s got the most wins now [of any Holland manager],” he added. “I think he should be very proud of that and hopefully there are many more to come. But it’s a start and we keep going.”