No truth to Louis van Gaal reports, say Manchester United
Club refuse, however, to deny media claims they are in discussions with the Dutch coach known as the 'Iron Tulip' for his strict style
Manchester United insisted they have not signed Louis van Gaal as their new manager - but stopped short of outright denying reports in the Netherlands that a three-year deal has been agreed with the Dutch coach.
Popular broadsheet De Telegraaf, believed to have close links with Van Gaal (pictured), said yesterday that "the national coach [Van Gaal] late last [Friday] night reached a deal with the top British club" to take over as manager after the World Cup.
"The man who's the absolute number one to replace axed coach David Moyes will immediately take up the job when the Dutch eleven is knocked out of the World Cup in Brazil," it said.
Van Gaal, 62, who has been on holiday at his villa in Portugal's Algarve "has been in talks with Ed Woodward, lawyer for club owners the Glazer brothers for a multiyear, multimillion contract", it said, without citing any sources.
But United, who have put veteran player Ryan Giggs in charge until the end of the season, said: "There is nothing to report. We have not signed a new manager. When we have something to report, we will announce it."
Any move for Van Gaal would now appear to run against the wishes of former manager Alex Ferguson, a club director who is still hugely influential.
The Scot - who teed up the appointment of Moyes when he retired and a decision he was a driving force behind - on Friday appeared to put his weight behind Giggs getting the job full-time.