 Van Gaal led Ajax to Champions League victory in 1995 |
Louis van Gaal has said he will not be able to make himself available as a candidate to fill the England manager's position until 2009. The ex-Holland coach had suggested that a clause in his AZ Alkmaar deal would allow him to apply, but that does not come into effect for more than a year.
"It's a great job - but it won't happen before the summer of 2009," said the 56-year-old Dutchman.
Van Gaal has been in charge at Alkmaar since 2005.
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The Football Association has begun the search for a successor to Steve McClaren, who was sacked on Thursday following England's failure to reach the Euro 2008 finals.
A number of high-profile candidates have already said they do not want the job - a post that Van Gaal, who was also at Ajax and Barcelona, claims he was offered once before.
"I was asked a few years ago (to take charge of England) but then I said no," he said.
"Maybe they will call me again now but I understand they (the Football Association) have other things on their minds, like digesting the fact they have not qualified for the finals of Euro 2008.
"I know the chance of becoming England coach isn't that big."
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