‘If they call me, I’ll listen’: Louis van Gaal hints at possible international comeback

Louis van Gaal has left the door open to return to international coaching if the Portugal FA wants to talk to him about the vacant managerial role.

The Dutchman’s third spell in charge of the Netherlands ended after their World Cup elimination, with the team unbeaten in regulation time during Van Gaal’s twenty games in charge.

His exit came by way of a penalty shootout loss to eventual winners Argentina in the quarterfinals, and brought the curtain down on Van Gaal’s time in charge of the national team.

Louis van Gaal has hinted that he will again be tempted to an international management position

However, the 71-year-old, who successfully battled prostate cancer earlier this year, has hinted that he may not be done with the international scene after speaking on a Dutch radio show.

Van Gaal phoned the 3FM Serious Request DJs at the Glass House in Amersfoort to make a donation to the radio station’s charity drive and was asked about his future plans and links to the Portugal role.

“I’m retired again,” Van Gaal began his reply. “But if they call me, I’ll listen to them,” he added. ‘This is all I can say.’

The Dutch coach ended his third spell at the helm of the Netherlands after their World Cup elimination at the hands of Argentina.

Portugal parted ways with Fernando Santos after the events in Qatar, ending an eight-year spell with the national team that saw him win Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019.

However, following Portugal’s quarter-final elimination against Morocco and his decision to bench captain Cristiano Ronaldo for both qualifying games, the Portuguese canceled his spell in charge.

José Mourinho, André Villas-Boas and Paulo Fonseca have all been linked with the role, but Van Gaal could be an attractive option given his international football experience with the Netherlands.

Fernando Santos was dismissed from his position after the elimination of Portugal in the quarterfinals against Morocco

Van Gaal has also been linked with the replacement of Roberto Martinez as Belgium’s new manager.

The former Manchester United manager also said he had not been seeking the Belgium job either, and his earlier comments about the role being vacated by Roberto Martinez came about because he was asked about the vacancy.

“That was not a flirtation, questions were asked about it,” he added. ‘I can’t help that, I have to answer that. I am also not flirting with Portugal at the moment.

Van Gaal has an extensive managerial record dating back to his first job at Ajax in 1991. Since then, in addition to three spells in charge of his country and two seasons at Old Trafford, he has also managed both Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Louis Van Gaal (centre) was unbeaten in his twenty games in charge of the Netherlands