Manchester United: Louis van Gaal confirms Old Trafford job set to be his last in management

Louis van Gaal has confirmed his current job as manager of Manchester United will be his last before retirement as he seeks to devote more time to his family.

Dutchman Van Gaal, 63, is in his first season at Old Trafford after being named as the permanent successor to David Moyes in May 2014 and, despite facing criticism regarding a lack of excitement in his preferred playing style, currently has the club on course for a return to the Champions League following a one-year absence.

United, who meet fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield on 22 March in a crucial match that could have big ramifications on the battle for European qualification, currently sit fourth in the Premier League and a dominant 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur has provided real belief they could even capitalise on Manchester City's shortcomings and eventually finish as high as second.

Regardless of the eventual success of his first foray into English football, though, it seems as if there is no future job that could tempt Van Gaal into remaining in management once his time at United is brought to a close.

"My wife wants to quit now already! Five years ago!," he revealed in a detailed interview with the Daily Telegraph. "I'm not married to my job. Of course, I am 24 hours a manager, but I am also 24 hours a father of my children, grandfather of my grandchildren and I am always 24 hours lover of my wife. I am married to my profession, more than with her. I see my PA more than my wife.

"I have a paradise in Portugal. I want to quit to go there, play golf, eat fantastic food. There are very good wines in Portugal. There is the beach, the very beautiful weather. I don't want to travel. Everyone wants to touch my body in the airports; it is always peeping because I have an artificial hip. I am the only one who has been controlled every time when we fly. I don't like it.

"It's better to sit down in my – our – paradise. I am also old. This is my last job. For sure. I have to pay attention to my kids, my grandchildren but also to my wife. They deserve it. Now I cannot pay that attention. I was not at the birthday of my grandson for example. I don't like it."

Having enjoyed much success during the course of a stellar career that has taken in two separate spells with the Dutch national team and Barcelona as well as stints with Ajax, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar, surely no one will begrudge Van Gaal the opportunity to enjoy his retirement.

The knowledge and acceptance that the job at Manchester United will definitely be his last could conceivably make the former Sparta Rotterdam stalwart even more desperate to ensure the club are able to return to the upper echelons of European football and once again compete for domestic honours after a brief period of uncertainty in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.