Louis Van Gaal Wanted by Danny Blind for Netherlands Technical Director Job

Under-fire Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could be in line for a return to the Netherlands management team after it emerged Danny Blind wants the former head coach as his technical director.

Van Gaal led the Oranje to a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup before departing for Old Trafford, and manager Blind told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad his return would be welcome (h/t Goal's Matthew Rogerson):

"

With Van Gaal I could achieve a lot. He is in the top category. But there are also many other options to think of where the shoe could fit. I do not know if that will happen. I recently read a comment by Bert van Oostveen [KNVB director of professional football] about [appointing a technical director]. But I have not spoken to him about it personally.

The key question is: what are the pillars of the work of a technical director? I have been one myself a couple of times in my career and basically it comes down to a buying and selling policy but that is at a club, not at the KNVB. It comes to the flow of youth players. You have to offer an exciting job and it must be someone with respect. It's difficult.

"

Both Manchester United and the Netherlands are in a struggle to regain their former glories, but the difference between the two is that the KNVB already know Van Gaal has been a success in their ranks.

The Red Devils suffered another disappointment on Monday after drawing 0-0 with a struggling Chelsea side, but Van Gaal insisted his players are still fighting for him after the stalemate, per the official Premier League Twitter account: 

Van Gaal worked briefly as a technical director for Ajax in 2004 before taking the reins at AZ Alkmaar, going on to lead the Netherlands national team from 2012 to 2014 in his second spell in charge of the Oranje.

The Dutchman's greatest managerial achievements have all come in roles close to his native land, claiming the Eredivisie title three times at Ajax and once with AZ, as well as winning the Champions League with the former in 1995.

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Blind highlighted the need for a technical director to bring through young talent, and Van Gaal showed evidence of that trait in his most recent tenure as Netherlands manager. He handed debuts to the likes of Adam Maher, Bruno Martins Indi, Stefan de Vrij and Jordy Clasie before leaving the helm in 2014.

Fan account Dutch Football supported Van Gaal's reputation as a successful manager, highlighting his record as superior to that of interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, another former Netherlands manager:

"

@Yokhin @Elko_B @StefanCoerts Van Gaal.Worked wonders with Ajax, AZ and Netherlands last summer. Will remember his teams more than Hiddink's

— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) December 27, 2015"

The Netherlands have endured a downward spiral since the last World Cup, failing to qualify for Euro 2016 and winning just six of their 16 matches since beating hosts Brazil 3-0 in the tournament's third-place play-off.

Van Gaal has commented in the past that he would retire when his Manchester United contract expires in the summer of 2017 in order to spend time with his wife but also teased the thought of continuing on, per Sky News:

"

Normally I shall leave after next year, but what is normal in our football world? You never know so I cannot answer that question. But I promised my wife to go with her to our paradise [villa in Portugal] so it shall be very hard for me to deny that promise. Next year I am 65 and say I stay a year longer, it shall be very hard to my wife.

"

There's no accounting for what Van Gaal might decide should Manchester United decide to cut his stay at the club early, which seems a strong possibility if the club's winless run continues much longer.

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss could be tempted to prolong his career in an effort to salvage his reputation in that event, and a position in the Netherlands team may be a safer, familiar setting in which to finish.