FILE - This is a Nov. 6, 2010 file photo of Bayern head coach Louis van Gaal of the Netherlands as he reacts during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayern Munich in Moenchengladbach, Germany. Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching. The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Associated Press
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Former Manchester United, Barcelona and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching.
The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May.
That disappointing two-year tenure followed one of his greatest triumphs, leading the Netherlands to the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Van Gaal, coaching for more than 30 years, was taking a break after being axed by Manchester "but now I don't believe I will return to the coaching profession," he told Dutch daily De Telegraaf in a story published on Tuesday.
Van Gaal led Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995 and led Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AZ Alkmaar to domestic league titles.
He says he has nothing left to prove.
"I actually wanted to stop after the (2014) World Cup," he said, "But then suddenly an offer came from England and that was an amazing country that was missing from my CV."
Van Gaal said that since his departure from Manchester United he could have gone to coach in China, but decided to stay in the Netherlands for family reasons.
The outspoken coach also criticized the recent decision by FIFA to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, saying the new format "will be terrible for the best teams and the worst teams that have to play each other."
FILE - This is a Sunday, June 29, 2014 file photo of Netherlands' Arjen Robben as he is greeted by head coach Louis van Gaal after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil. Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching. The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 file photo, the then Bayern Munich head coach Louis van Gaal, right, and the then Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho as they smile prior to the friendly soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in Munich, southern Germany. Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching. The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This is a Monday May 24, 1999 file photo of Barcelona's Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal, left as he displays the League trophy with team captain Pep Guardiola to fans from the balcony of the Barcelona City Hall, Spain. Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching. The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May.(AP Photo/Paul White, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This is a Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015 file photo of Manchester United's manager Louis van Gaal smiles as he speaks during a press conference at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England. Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching. The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The Associated Press
FILE - This is a Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 file photo of Manchester United's manager Louis van Gaal as he awaits the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Manchester United at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England. Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal may never return to coaching. The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press