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ESPN staff 8y

Louis van Gaal thanks Manchester United for honour of managing club

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has thanked the club for the "honour" of managing at Old Trafford after it was announced on Monday that he would be leaving his position effective immediately.

Van Gaal, 64, oversaw two tumultuous seasons at United and it had long been rumoured that the club would part ways with him following the end of the campaign.

United won the FA Cup in their final match of the 2015-16 campaign, but the team missed out on the Premier League top-four and Champions League places and had been criticised by supporters and former players for not playing an attractive style of football during the Dutchman's reign.

A statement released by Van Gaal and posted on the Manchester United website read: "It has been an honour to manage such a magnificent club as Manchester United FC, and in doing so, I have fulfilled a long-held ambition.

"I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club's history. I have been privileged during my management career to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, which is steeped in so much history, will always be one of the most special achievements of my career."

Van Gaal went on to express disappointment in not being able to fulfill his three-year plan and see out his contract with United, while adding he felt he'd laid the foundation for the club to move forward and achieve even greater success in the future.

The Dutch boss, who had previously managed Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich among others, also singled out his players and the club's supporters for praise.

"I thank my players and wish them well for next season," read the statement. "It has been a pleasure to work with them and it has been particularly rewarding to see so many young players take their chance to break into the first team and excel.

"I look forward to watching the continued development of these young players next season.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to the amazing United supporters. They are truly the best fans in the world."

Finally, Van Gaal offered special thanks to former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and club legend Sir Bobby Charlton for helping him adjust to life in the English top flight.

"My special thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and my family feel so welcome throughout my time as Manchester United manager."

United chief executive Ed Woodward issued a separate statement on the club's website thanking him for his service and wishing him well and adding that a decision on his successor would be announced soon.

"I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the club.

"He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here. He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best in the future."

Manchester United's next manager -- the club's third since Ferguson departed -- is widely expected to be former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, with ESPN FC sources confirming an announcement to that effect is imminent.

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