Louis van Gaal opens up with update on his cancer and how he is living with it

Louis van Gaal opens up with an update on his prostate cancer and how he is living with it on a daily basis for the last few years.

The 72 year old former Manchester United manager talked to Spanish outlet AS about his health, two years after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

In an interview, he revealed how he copes with the disease, what treatment he has, and also said he has become ‘used to death’ in his family.

After he guided them to the World Cup in Qatar, he stepped down in order to focus on fighting his prostate cancer with the need to have radiation treatment and use a urine bag.

In September 2023, he said it would be a ‘miracle’ if he ever goes to the toilet by himself again.

“How am I doing? Well, I had surgery two or three weeks ago. They have tried to put everything in order, details of which I won’t tire you with further, but now we have to wait and see. On the 19th of September, I have to go back again and then everything will be decided – and then a miracle could take place that I am able to go the toilet by myself again.”

He was asked told by an interviewer he was looking spectacular before being asked what point he was in his illness.

He responded: “I have always looked very young, that is the reason for my good appearance (laughs). My mother was dying and until the last moment she had her face like a flower. No one could see that she was sick. And I have the same problem. Or the same luck… I have been living with the disease for just over three years, with radiation, hormone injections, operations, catheters and urine bags. It’s unbelievable, but I can handle it. I have managed it, and I have been able to do it even working during the last World Cup. I even think that during the World Cup I managed it even better, because I had a goal. And with the cancer process it happens the same as with the process of being a coach, you look for a goal. For me it was positive to deal with both things.”

Asked if the prostate cancer has changed his outlook on life, Van Gaal said: ‘Not much, really. Look, I come from a family in which we are nine brothers. I am the smallest. My father died when I was 11 years old. He died at 53.

‘My first wife died when she was 39. And all my brothers died too soon. I’m used to death. That’s why I know that death is a part of life, and you can deal with it.

‘When I first heard I had cancer I said, “Okay, it’s not good news, but I better try to do something about it.” Each human can react in a different way. That’s why I say: “Be yourself.”’

He was asked what was that moment of exposure like for you when revealing to the media he had cancer, to which he replied: “I did it in part for the Prostate Cancer Foundation in Holland. I selected my interviewer and he convinced me to say things openly, because it was good for all the people who suffer from this disease, prostate cancer. I went to Umberto’s program to talk about this illness and how he had managed it up to that point. And that was very well received by the Prostate Cancer Foundation. And now I am doing this for María Blasco and the research that she has to do, because she likes to be better and better and cure more cancers. There are many types, too many.

How did you feel after saying it publicly?

For me it was really good, because that way I also informed my players of what was happening. Until that moment, they didn’t know.

What was it like being in treatment and coaching the Netherlands in a World Cup?

I don’t think that matters in your relationship with the players. When you can hide it, it’s better. But it was really this journalist who convinced me to say it openly. Yes indeed. Then the next meeting with my players was a little special.

What did he say?

Not too much. They talked more than me. And, you know, as a national team coach, you see people once a month or every six weeks. So it was logical that he would say it in a program like Umberto. After finding out, I think my players had more respect for me than ever. I think it was good for the team that they received that information. I realised that…

How were those days at the World Cup?

As at first I thought that the best thing for them was not to know, I hid it as much as I could. It was the logical thing. In the afternoon they had to go rest and I took the opportunity to sleep as much as I could. And my assistants worked in the technical meeting. Then, I went to treatment at night, without anyone seeing me. And so on. That’s how I was able to do it.

Did you agree to be the Netherlands’ coach when you were already sick?

—They called me when I had already undergone surgery, I had undergone 25 sessions of radiotherapy, hormonal injections… I don’t think it was brave to accept that challenge. I asked my team and they agreed, and I’m really grateful to them. Like the Dutch federation.

What would you say to people who receive the news that they have cancer?

—I can only say that you have to be yourself, do things for yourself. It is part of life that you can die. And for me it has been a process. Not a pretty process, but I’m still here, and I’m better now than I was a couple of years ago. Therefore, there is always hope. And I can do the things I always did, also train. You can continue when you have a strong mentality. You may not be as lucky as I was to continue developing your life, but yes, you must always be positive. Because the mind is directly connected to the body.

Will we see him on the bench again?

You never know, I am always positive!

In an act of solidarity and commitment to the fight against cancer, Van Gaal has recently joined forces with the National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) to promote the ‘Always + Positive’ campaign, with the initiative seeing a documentary filmed and t-shirts going on sale in a bid to raise funds to support oncological research in Spain.

The coach shares his personal experience with cancer and how this disease has impacted his sports career.

María Blasco, the director of the CNIO, highlighted the importance of having the support of a recognized figure such as Louis Van Gaal, saying: “It is very important that people like Louis talk about cancer because many citizens still do not know what the CNIO is and we are among the best in the world in our research.”

On striving to maintain a positive attitude, he added: “I don’t have to be positive, but I have to be positive because if you are not positive you can’t carry it. And that’s how I’ve always resolved it, but that’s my brain and not everyone’s.”

He has insisted on the importance of early detection of cancer, regretting not having had periodic check-ups, since his illness was detected at a more advanced stage.

“Now I feel stupid because I arrived too late and it goes further in the body, although now it is under control,” he acknowledged.

👩‍⚕️ En #ASDeporteEnPositivo presentamos “Siempre Positivo”, una acción de comunicación y sensibilización con Louis van Gaal, al que recientemente le diagnosticaron cáncer de próstata, y María Blasco, directora del @CNIOStopCancerhttps://t.co/AuTFRE7ffxhttps://t.co/AuTFRE7ffx pic.twitter.com/AS8i6EoIeZ

— Diario AS (@diarioas) June 19, 2024