Van Gaal Invites England Offer

The former Holland, Ajax and Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal has declared an interest in becoming the next England manager.

Van Gaal is currently at the helm of Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar but revealed there is a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a national team post. The 56-year-old also claimed that he has been offered the job in the past.

"I was asked a few years ago [to take charge of England] but then I said no," he said. "Maybe they will call me again now but I understand they [the Football Association] have other things on their minds, like digesting the fact they have not qualified for the finals of Euro 2008.

"I know the chance of becoming England coach isn't that big," he added on RTV Noord-Holland. "There are many candidates but I am willing to do it, otherwise I would not have a clause in my contract about a head coach's job of a national team."

Van Gaal's sole experience as national team manager does not offer much encouragement for England - his star-studded Dutch team failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup after finishing behind Portugal and Republic of Ireland - but he can boast an impressive club record, primarily with Ajax, whom he guided to three Dutch titles and victory in the 1995 Champions League. He also won two championships with Barcelona, but he stepped down after only three seasons in charge following persistent criticisms of his tactics and personality.

Last season he took AZ to the brink of only the second league title in their history, only for them to suffer a surprise defeat on the final day of the season to hand the championship to PSV.