Louis van Gaal: I Was Very Close to Joining Tottenham Before Signing for Manchester United

Incoming Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed he was "very close" to signing for Tottenham Hotspur before agreeing to take the managerial role at Old Trafford.

The 62-year-old was strongly linked to replace Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane, before agreeing terms with the Red Devils. However, United sacked David Moyes in April and since then the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has been a target for the Old Trafford outfit.

Van Gaal revealed he was a Spurs fan and admitted the north London club's legend Jimmy Greaves was his idol. The Dutchman rejected a chance to join the club he supported as a boy in order to take the vacant role at United.

"It was very close. Very close. As a little boy I was a fan of Tottenham Hotspur with the team of Jimmy Greaves when he was the champion. Jimmy Greaves was my idol. They had fantastic white shirts. So I was very close," Van Gaal explained.

Spurs also sacked Tim Sherwood last month and replaced him with former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino on a five-year deal.

Van Gaal is currently with the Netherlands preparing for the World Cup in Brazil and will join United after completing his national side's campaign in the summer event.

The 62-year-old manager admitted that he has informed United chief executive Ed Woodward that he will talk about the Red Devils after the World Cup with the Netherlands. He also shed light on his philosophy and management techniques.

"I have said to the CEO of Manchester United Ed Woodward that I only speak about the Dutch national team," the Dutchman said.

"I think it is very important. I am a coach who wants a good relationship with my players and I do everything to reach that level."

"Sometimes it is not reachable as the players are not open-minded and don't adapt to the norms that I put in the team. When you are not listening, always out, or I go out," Van Gaal concluded.