Tributes from the world of football, most notably from former clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich, had begun to pour in after an interview he gave with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf strongly suggested that he was to walk away from the game at the age of 65 for ‘family reasons,’ having been out of the game since his sacking as Manchester United manager in May 2016.

However, the 1995 Champions League winner has now claimed that those comments were misinterpreted – he is taking a sabbatical until the summer, and while he could yet take the decision to retire in July, nothing has yet been confirmed either way.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadana SER, Van Gaal confirmed that rumours of his demise had been greatly exaggerated:

“I am just taking a sabbatical year and after that I will decide. There is a good chance that I will retire.

“In the Netherlands the press writes what they want. I received a headline yesterday, but I said that I might retire, but this is not the time to say it, and for this reason I have taken a sabbatical year and then I will decide.”

The Dutchman, whose lengthy and trophy-laden career has taken him to some of Europe’s biggest clubs as well as two spells his national side, also confirmed that there had been an approach from Valencia recently with a view to replacing departed coach Cesare Prandelli. He had been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Christmas but the offer from the relegation-threatened La Liga side was the only one he chose to make reference to:

“I received an offer from Valencia a month or so ago but I said no.

“Next year may be different. It will depend on how I feel.”

Given the regularity with which the Valencia job has become available in recent years, he won’t have to wait long for a second chance to move to the Mestalla.

In any event, while Van Gaal does appear to be drawing the curtain on a distinguished managerial spell, he has made it very clear that he will only do so on his own terms.