Louis van Gaal: I was "very close" to Tottenham Hotspur job

Newly-appointed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed how he came "very close" to taking the Tottenham Hotspur job.

The Netherlands coach was heavily linked with a switch to White Hart Lane this summer before ultimately sealing a deal to replace David Moyes at Old Trafford.

When asked about how close he was to becoming the new Spurs manager, the Dutchman told reporters: "Very close, very close. As a little boy I was a fan of Tottenham Hotspur with the team of Jimmy Greaves when he was the champion. Jimmy Greaves was my idol, so I was very close."

The 62-year-old will begin his reign with the Premier League giants upon completing his stint with the Oranje after the World Cup.