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Louis Van Gaal: heading for the World Cup. Martin Rickett

Beckenbauer, Van der Sar back Van Gaal for United

The Dutch manager is red hot favourite for the Old Trafford position.

GERMAN FOOTBALL ICON Franz Beckenbauer and Edwin van der Sar have claimed Manchester United could not find a better manager than Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal will quit his post as the Netherlands’ head coach after this year’s World Cup and has firmed as favourite to take over at Old Trafford, following the sacking of David Moyes this month.

The 62-year-old Dutchman has won titles in the Eredivisie, La Liga and Bundesliga, while he led Ajax Amsterdam to success in the UEFA Champions League in 1995.

Beckenbauer was president of Bayern Munich when the Bavarian club lured Van Gaal to Germany and believes the veteran coach would be ‘perfect’ for United, as the Premier League outfit look to rebuild following Moyes’ disastrous tenure.

“He would be perfect for Man United because he is an internationally experienced coach and he understands English football,” Beckenbauer told the Daily Mail.

“I don’t know if it’s a rumour or if they’re really trying to sign him (Van Gaal) but if they agree with Louis I think it would be a good part of the future.

“He won a lot of titles so he is experienced and he is ambitious. He has the personality. He has everything.”

Van Gaal won the Bundesliga-DFB Pokal double with Bayern in the 2009/10 season but was sacked in April of the next campaign as the German giants slumped to third.

But Beckenbauer remains convinced the Dutchman is ‘one of the best coaches in the world’, despite Van Gaal’s reputation for arrogance.

“If you ask him a stupid question then it can be that his answer is a bit arrogant but if you treat him with respect, then respect comes back to you,” the 68-year-old German said.

“I like him. He was also very successful with Bayern Munich. In the end there was a little discussion about the way he was handling his job so that’s why they went separate ways. But for me he’s one of the best coaches in the world.”

Van der Sar, who won the Champions League and three Eredivisie titles with Van Gaal, before finishing his career at United, rates his compatriot ahead of other former bosses, such as Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti.

“I will say more about Louis and United once his appointment is official,” the former goalkeeper told the Mirror. ”But I have made it clear here before that Louis van Gaal is the best manager I have ever played for.”

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