Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has revealed that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
The 70-year-old is set to lead Oranje into the World Cup finals in Qatar, where they have been drawn against Senegal, Ecuador and the host nation in Group A.
Speaking on Dutch programme Humberto, Van Gaal publicly announced the news for the first time and revealed that he did not inform his players of his diagnosis during the recent international break.
"They don't know. They see a blush on my cheeks and think, 'what a healthy (person) that is'. That is of course not the case," Van Gaal told the programme. "I didn't want to tell it to my players because it could have influenced their performances.
"In each period during my time as manager of the national team I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now. While thinking I was healthy, but.. I am not.
"I've been through a lot with illnesses, including with my own wife. So that's just part of life. [I] as a human being have probably become richer because of all those experiences."
Van Gaal's former clubs Manchester United and Barcelona both posted messages of support to their ex-manager on social media following the news.
Ben Knapton
