Van Gaal to AZ rumours swirl as ex-Man Utd boss spotted in stands

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 17 May 2021 21:42 BST
• 2 min read

Rumours of a Louis van Gaal return to AZ have intensified after the former Manchester United and Ajax coach was spotted in the stands watching their game against Groningen on Sunday.

AZ dramatically sacked their manager Arne Slot on Friday following reports that he was in negotiations to take over at Feyenoord next season.

“As a club, we have chosen to say goodbye immediately,” AZ director of football Max Huiberts said in a statement on the club’s website.

“We want to have a head coach leading the team who is fully focused on AZ.”

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Slot’s assistant Pascal Jansen has been appointed as caretaker coach of AZ but the presence of Van Gaal in Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Groningen has sparked rumours that the 69-year-old could return.

Van Gaal has been out of management since leaving Manchester United in 2016.

He has twice announced since then that he has retired from coaching but an offer from AZ would potentially tempt the 1996 Champions League winner.

Van Gaal coached AZ from 2005 to 2009 and famously led the club to a shock Eredivisie title in his final season there.