Louis van Gaal has rejected suggestions of a return to Ajax but has left the door open for another national team job.
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The former Manchester United manager has been out of work since resigning as head coach of the Netherlands national side following their World Cup exit in December.
Ajax, meanwhile, are currently in disarray with just two wins from their first seven games of the season, while the Dutch club sacked Sven Mislintat as their director of football on Sunday evening.
Speaking on Sunday, ex-Ajax midfielder Rafael van der Vaart revealed he had lunch with Van Gaal and claimed the 72-year-old would be open to helping his former club get back on track.
‘Louis is, of course, the ideal man for Ajax. His hands are itchy,’ Van der Vaart said.
‘This club needs clarity. If anyone likes clarity, it’s Louis.
‘I would not be surprised if within the next few days they seriously consider reaching out to him. You could give him that, because he really wants the best for Ajax.’
But Van Gaal, who revealed he was suffering from prostate cancer in April last year, has ruled out the prospect of managing Ajax for a second time.
‘My health comes first,’ Van Gaal told NOS.
‘I don’t like being a coach at a club anymore.’
But when asked if he would manage another national team, Van Gaal said: ‘But that depends on many factors.’
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