Louis van Gaal: I rejected rhe Tottenham job

Holland manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that he was approached by Tottenham to replace Andre Villas-Boas in December but turned the offer down to focus on his country’s preparation for the World Cup in the summer.

Villas-Boas was sacked after Spurs lost 5-0 to Liverpool and Tim Sherwood replaced him after van Gaal knocked back their attentions.

The 62-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious career, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the famous Ajax side of the 1990s. He is currently in charge of the Dutch national side heading to Brazil for the next World Cup.

He turned down Spurs but did claim that he’d like to manage in the Premier League one day.

“I want to work in the Premier League because that is the league I have not worked in yet,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I want to coach here in the Premier League because I think Spain, Germany and England are the strongest competitions.

“That is an ambition and who knows.

“Everybody knows it so I can admit it [being approached by Spurs],” he added. “I don’t do things in a double function (holding two jobs at the same time).

“You have to give an example to your players that they have to focus on the national team and that is my ambition also.

“I have refused (the Tottenham job) but maybe there will come another chance. That is the difficulty with coaching. When you are free, then maybe there are no vacancies.

“When you are working, then there are vacancies. It is always difficult.

“After the World Cup I shall retire or, if there is a Premier League club, I shall think about it.”