Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said on Monday an ambition to achieve success in three of Europe's major leagues is behind his desire to manage in England after next year's Fifa World Cup™.
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A title winner with Germany's Bayern Munich and Spain's Barcelona, he has previously hinted that he could take up a role in the English Premier League if the right offer came up when he retires from international football next year. He spoke candidly for the first time about the attraction of the coaching in England ahead of the Netherlands' friendly game against China tomorrow.
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"I have done it in Spain, been a champion, I have done it in Germany, and I think that the third place is for the Premier League, and because of that I want to be a coach of that league," said Van Gaal.
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"Especially because of the atmosphere also," he added, before shrugging off concerns of the pressure involved with managing a top Premier Lleague side.
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"You do not know what pressure I have in the Netherlands," said Van Gaal, who has also won league titles in Holland with Ajax Amsterdam.
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Van Gaal's reputation as one of Europe's top managers has continued to grow after he stepped in to help the Dutch side recover brilliantly after they exited Uefa Euro 2012 at the group stage. They now lead Fifa World Cup qualifying Group D by seven points and face China following a 3-0 victory over Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
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That game saw Manchester United striker Robin van Persie take over as captain from midfielder Wesley Sneijder. Van Gaal said the recent good form of Van Persie helped convince him to give the captain's armband to last season's top scorer in the Premier League.
English Premier League title is a huge mountain to climb for any coach. That is why Alex Ferguson would forever be respected.