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 Guardianhas reported that the 70-year-old was taken to hospital for further tests after he fell off the bike near the Holland team hotel.
https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1460198828771094529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1460198828771094529%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportbible.com%2Ffootball%2Flouis-van-gaal-is-taking-netherlands-training-from-a-golf-cart-20211115
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.
https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1460227980354113547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1460227980354113547%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportbible.com%2Ffootball%2Flouis-van-gaal-is-taking-netherlands-training-from-a-golf-cart-20211115
Related links:
Who saw that coming… Ashley Cole has landed his first role in management over in Italy after the club announced his hiring today. Rumour had been swirling in the last 24 hours that the former Arsenal, Chelsea and, of course, Roma player was set for his first taste of management. Now, it has been confirmed […]
It’s back! Fear not, the Premier League is back in action this weekend, as Arsenal look to increase their lead over Manchester City in the title race. Mikel Arteta’s side face Everton on Saturday Night Football at 5.30pm, before City go to West Ham on Saturday evening at 8pm. On Sunday, Manchester United host Aston […]
A real test for the memory! It’s time to test your knowledge of Liverpool F.C. during the 2010s, with this bumper quiz. All you’ll need to do is name ten players who represented the Reds from 2010-2019, a real rollercoaster of a decade at Anfield. Beginning with the tumultuous reign of Roy Hodgson, and ending […]