He is a world-famous coach and was also on the sidelines at Bayern Munich.
Now he has fallen and in a wheelchair: Louis van Gaal.
Utrecht - concern for Louis van Gaal!
The Dutch national soccer coach can only accompany the decisive World Cup qualifier against Norway on Tuesday in a wheelchair.
The 70-year-old had injured his hip in a bicycle fall, as the Dutch media reported on Monday.
Van Gaal reportedly crashed on Sunday evening when he cycled with the team back to the hotel in Zeist (near Utrecht) after training.
An operation is not necessary, reported the TV broadcaster NOS and quoted a spokesman for the football association KNVB.
But the Bondscoach, who worked for FC Bayern Munich from 2009 to 2011, is now dependent on crutches or a wheelchair.
"Louis wants to do everything to be at the game on Tuesday," said the KNVB spokesman.
Louis van Gaal: Holland coach after falling in a wheelchair
At Oranje, things are currently anything but smooth. On Saturday they were in the World Cup qualifier against Montenegro with two goals from superstar Memphis Depay (25th / 54th) apparently 2-0 in the front. In the final phase, however, the double punishment followed: Ilija Vukotić (82nd) and Nikola Vujnović (86th) equalized late. Thus, the Netherlands has not yet been able to buy the ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, in Group G a three-way battle for direct qualification has broken out (only the group leader is sure to be there).
The Dutch are still at the top with 20 points, but: Turkey and Norway are lurking right behind with 18 points each.
And of course it will happen on Tuesday as it has to happen: There is a final against Norway, in the event of a defeat the direct qualification is gone.
It might not even be enough for the playoffs for van Gaal and Co. if the Turks and coach Stefan Kuntz win their game against Montenegro at the same time.
World Cup 2022 in Qatar: Van Gaal can only watch the Netherlands training from the golf kart
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A noticeably ailing Louis van Gaal observes the training of the Dutch national team.
© ANP / Imago
A training session was on the program for the Elftal on Monday.
Van Gaal was there, following the goings-on on the course from a golf kart.
The cult trainer looks as usual focused on the pictures, but you can definitely tell that he is not completely up to speed.
(akl / dpa)