The Hague, April 4: The Netherlands football coach Louis van Gaal revealed that he has been suffering from an aggressive form of prostate cancer since the end of 2020. The 70-year-old announced his diagnosis on a TV show while promoting a documentary about his life that premieres on April 14.
His prostate cancer is also a subject in the film. He lost his first wife to pancreatic cancer and wanted to make cancer a topic for discussion. “In most cases, prostate cancer does not kill you. Usually underlying diseases kill you with this kind of cancer,” Van Gaal said on Sunday.
Despite his illness Van Gaal is still planning to go with the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be played in Qatar from November 21 to December 18. “I have an incredible amount of discipline and willpower. I can handle the work as a national coach under these circumstances because I enjoy working with such a group. I see that as a gift in life. I’ve been through a lot with illnesses. It’s part of life. I’ve probably become stronger as a person because of the experiences I have with it. That’s why I wanted it in the film,” he said. Van Gaal said the players in the Dutch team did not know about his medical condition. “They don’t know,” he said. “It could influence their choice or decisiveness. And I didn’t want that.” UNI/XINHUA
