Next stop - Old Trafford? Van Gaal's 8 stop journey to Manchester
Manchester United could install Holland national coach Louis van Gaal as their new manager as early as next week.
Reports from various media outlets in the UK like the Mail Online are suggesting that the Red Devils have agreed terms with the experienced Dutch tactician and an announcement to confirm the deal is imminent.
After a hugely disappointing 2013/14 season which saw David Moyes sacked as the club finished the English Premier League in seventh, United need a proven winner if they are to re-establish themselves as a club superpower.
Going by van Gaal's glittering CV, it looks like they have their man.
We recap the polarising 62-year-old's eight-stop journey to Old Trafford:
1ST STOP: Ajax Amsterdam (1991 to 1997)
Amsterdam-born van Gaal first managerial job was also his most successful one.
Promoted from assistant after Leo Beenhakker's departure in 1991, van Gaal took over the reigns and guided the Dutch giants to a hat-trick of Eredivisie titles, one Uefa Cup and the 1995 Champions League title.
His six-year tenure also uncovered an entire generation of Dutch legends like Dennis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Edwin van der Sar.
2ND STOP: Barcelona (1997 to 2000)
During his first stint in Spain, he won two La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey.
But his no-nonsense approach saw him clash frequently with his players and the media as he tried to implement his methods.
He opened his final press conference as Barcelona boss with the words: "Friends of the press. I am leaving. Congratulations."
3RD STOP: Holland national team (2000 to 2002)
Despite returning home to take charge of the Oranje, things didn't get easier for van Gaal.
Poor results saw the Dutch fail to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. He quit.
4TH STOP: Barcelona (2002 to 2003)
After a move to United fell through due to Sir Alex Ferguson's U-turn on retiring, van Gaal made a return to Barcelona.
But the team failed to fire. He was sacked following a dreadful run of results and left Barca just three points above the relegation zone in Jan 2003.
5TH STOP: AZ Alkmaar (2005 to 2009)
Following a short return to Ajax as a technical director in 2004, van Gaal soon found his way back into the managerial hot seat with AZ Alkmaar.
Despite announcing his intention to resign after a bad 2007/08 campaign, van Gaal was persuaded to stay and eventually guided AZ to their second Eredivisie title in 2009.
6TH STOP: Bayern Munich (2009 to 2011)
After his title-winning season at AZ, van Gaal sealed a move to "dream club" Bayern where he had a successful, if colourful, two years.
He overcame a poor start to the 2009/10 season and led the Bavarian giants to the Bundesliga title. He infamously dropped his trousers in front of his players to prove a point.
Although he was sacked the following season when FC Hollywood finished third, van Gaal was instrumental in bringing through young players like Thomas Mueller and Holger Badstuber.
7TH STOP: Holland national team (2011 to present)
Back in the Holland fold a second time, he guided his home nation to the 2014 World Cup having scored 34 goals in 10 qualifying games.
Time will tell if he can replicate predecessor Bert van Marwijk's runners-up finish at the 2010 tournament.
8TH STOP: Manchester United?
While United have yet to make it official, van Gaal has made no secret of his desire to move to EPL.
Already, he seems to be preparing for life at Old Trafford after United legend Ryan Giggs was spotted leaving a hotel in Holland after supposed talks with the Dutch master to be his No. 2 at United.
Sources: BBC, ESPN FC, Mail Online, Sky Sports
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