Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal declines to discuss rumours of KNVB job rejection

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has declined to comment on speculation that he has rejected the chance to take up a role with the Royal Dutch Football Association. The KNVB were reported to be interested in employing the former two-time Netherlands boss as a technical director responsible for overseeing a newly-built centre of excellence that is set to be finished in the town of Zeist, near Utrecht this summer.

Despite being led by Van Gaal to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Dutch national team have endured a torrid two-year spell. Guus Hiddink resigned just 10 months into his second second spell in charge last June after five defeats provoked fears that the Oranje would fail to qualify for an expanded European Championship finals for the first time in 32 years. Assistant Danny Blind was subsequently promoted but could only secure a dreadful fourth-place finish in Group A behind the Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.

Although both Blind and the KNVB were said to be eager for him to return, reports from the Manchester Evening News this week suggested that Van Gaal had declined the offer amid disputed claims from the continent that he has received assurances over his position and will see out a three-year contract at Old Trafford that expires at the end of next season.

When asked about those rumours at a press conference held before a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (10 April), the 64-year-old said:"I don't want to respond to these type of questions because what I discuss with the federation has to be between them and me. It is the same as what I discuss with the board."

A testing and often tedious second campaign for Van Gaal at United has led many to believe that he will be relieved of his duties this summer and swiftly replaced in the hotseat by Jose Mourinho. However, recent narrow victories over rivals Manchester City and Everton mean that hopes of qualifying for the Champions League remain alive with just one point separating them from fourth place. They can also book an FA Cup semi-final berth against the Toffees with a last-eight replay to come at West Ham United's Upton Park on 13 April.