Louis van Gaal to take over at Manchester United - report

According to a report in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf this morning, Louis van Gaal is to become the next Manchester United manager. The Dutchman is said to have spent the last few days in Portugal with Ed Woodward and a Glazer, where a "multi-million contract" has been thrashed out.

The paper reveals that he shall take over as soon as the Netherlands are eliminated from this summer's World Cup, having been the Glazers' first choice for the position. Happily, it is reported that he will have €100 million to spend in the transfer market, and will arrive complete with his own coaching staff.

Interestingly the paper initially reported that Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert -- who turned down a move to United as a player in the late 90s -- would become the Red Devils' assistant, though that article has apparently been deleted from the website. However, it's well known that van Gaal likes to take his own team to his clubs, meaning we can expect to see new faces in the dugout.

van Gaal usually makes a point of retaining one member of staff from the previous regime, which, one would imagine, would be Giggs. The Class of 92 reunion will be short but sweet.