Louis van Gaal's 'Dream Job' is at Ajax Academy, Says Co Adriaanse

Former Ajax manager Co Adriaanse believes Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal's "dream job" is to be the head coach of the Dutch club's youth academy. 

Adriaanse said as much on television in the Netherlands, according to football writer Elko Born, who noted the club are seeking a candidate to fill the position:

Van Gaal's position at United has attracted much speculation this season with the Red Devils well below their usual standard, and a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday will have only increased the pressure on him.

The 64-year-old has one more year on his deal at Old Trafford, and it has been reported Van Gaal rejected the chance to take the position of technical director with the Dutch FA, per the Sun's Geoff Sweet.

There are seemingly few United fans who would relish the prospect of Van Gaal in the United hot seat for another year amid a disappointing season in which the team have rarely convinced or entertained in the manner they used to under Sir Alex Ferguson.

A top-four finish is all the Red Devils can hope for in the Premier League, and after Sunday's defeat, that is in doubt with the club four points behind Manchester City, while even a somewhat unlikely FA Cup win wouldn't sufficiently salvage the campaign either.

Van Gaal was mocked on social media prior to the Spurs game when United's arrival at White Hart Lane was delayed, with Agence-France Presse's Tom Williams referencing the Dutchman's own words:

Things only got worse during and after the match as United capitulated, conceding three goals in six minutes. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News was unimpressed:

Van Gaal does have a reputation for giving young players opportunities, though, and United academy graduates Marcus Rashford, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Guillermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson have all been given chances in the first team this season.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Ajax's academy is among the world's best, and notable alumni include Johan Cruyff, Clarence Seedorf and Dennis Bergkamp among many other Dutch legends and several current Premier League stars.

That said, there is one youngster who has failed to thrive under Van Gaal, per the MEN's Alice McKeegan:

"

If Januzaj isn't injured and simply can't even get picked for the u21s, his #mufc career is over. Such a shame given early promise.

— Alice McKeegan (@amckeeganMEN) April 4, 2016"

Nevertheless, a move away from Old Trafford would likely be beneficial for Van Gaal.

If he could oversee the development of yet more top talent from the academy, it would be a shot in the arm for his reputation, which has taken a huge hit during his time in England.

As poor as United have been, and as inexplicable as some of his decisions have been, it's important to remember Van Gaal is a highly decorated manager with success at some of Europe's biggest clubs—including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax—and it would be a shame if his last job in football irreparably damaged his otherwise impressive legacy.