Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal has reportedly been confirmed as the new manager of Manchester United and he will take charge of the side after leading his team at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.
The Dutchman, who has signed a three-year contract to succeed the sacked David Moyes, has won titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar and had claimed in his 2009 autobiography that he had been lined up to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at United in 2002.
According to the BBC, Van Gaal said that he and the Old Trafford club will make history together as both of them have big ambitions, adding that he is very proud to work as a manager of United as had always wanted to work in the Premier League.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hailed Van Gaal's appointment, saying that his track record of success in winning leagues and cups across Europe throughout his career makes him the perfect choice, adding that United has secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today.
United co-chairman Avie Glazer revealed that Van Gal had already communicated some ideas for how the club can move forward, adding that the Dutchman has the full backing of the United board.
Meanwhile, the report mentioned that player-coach Ryan Giggs, who took charge for the final four games of the season following the departure of Moyes, met Van Gaal in the Netherlands last week to talk about his future.
United finished seventh in the Premier League after a title defence that featured one-sided defeats by Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea and has failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1995-96 and are out of European football entirely for the first time in 25 years, the report added.