The Netherlands boss coached his training session on Monday from a golf cart after suffering the injury on Sunday
Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal suffered a hip injury after he fell off his bicycle on Sunday (14 November).
Van Gaal was present for the Dutch’s final training session before their Group G World Cup qualifier against Norway in Rotterdam on Tuesday night – where a draw is needed to secure their place in Qatar.
Due to the injury, the experienced manager was unable to take the session as normal and was forced to coach his side’s Monday training session from a golf cart.
The Guardian has reported that the 70-year-old was taken to hospital for further tests after he fell off the bike near the Holland team hotel.
🚨 – Louis van Gaal will host today's training session from inside a golf cart after he fell of his bike last night. He wants to remain with the National Team despite being placed in a wheelchair. [via @JeroenKapteijns] pic.twitter.com/nfizwQ0Gyr
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) November 15, 2021
Van Gaal was also able to take his press conference, however he was unable to conduct it in-person and was in a wheelchair for the video call, admitting that he is ‘in a lot of pain’ from the fall.
“Physically I’m not good, but the brain is still working,” the former Manchester United boss said.
“I’m in a lot of pain, that’s why I was in a buggy during training. I can still do everything and have done all the preparation that I normally would have.”
Netherlands captain Virgil Van Dijk described the situation as ‘a shock’ but was relieved to know that his manager would be in the dugout for their final group game.
Van Dijk said: “We are happy that he can lead us and it hasn’t impacted much in terms of the preparation.
“This morning he chaired an important meeting and still guides us.
“Van Gaal is still keen to make it to the World Cup.”
Despite the injury, there did seem to be a relatively light side to the conference as one journalist asked Van Gaal to go into more detail about his injury.
When describing the extent of the injury and asking if the journalists could understand, Van Dijk could be seen laughing away as Van Gaal spoke via a television screen on a video call.
Louis van Gaal's wheelchair couldn't fit through the door so he attends the press conference through a livestream.
He started explaining his injury which not many people understood… Van Dijk's face… 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/gdeHQlflaU
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) November 15, 2021
Related links:
- South Africa to request replay of Ghana game after “questionable decisions”
- Magda Eriksson says she would not want to go to Qatar as a gay woman
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic floors Azpilicueta with vicious off-ball shoulder charge
