Van Gaal back at Barcelona

Louis van Gaal has returned to FC Barcelona as coach two years after leaving the club.

Barren season
He will replace Carles Rexach, who failed to win a trophy in his first full season in charge at Camp Nou, but helped Barcelona qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. It is understood he will remain at the club, but his role is not yet known.

'Enormous desire'
"Louis van Gaal will arrive in Barcelona on Thursday and will be presented as coach on Friday," Barcelona president Joan Gaspart said today. "He's a great professional, who had great sporting success in his time here. I'm sure he'll return with enormous desire to do well."

Three-year reign
Van Gaal previously had a three-year reign at Barcelona, leading them to two league championships and one Spanish Cup triumph. After leaving Barcelona, Van Gaal coached the Netherlands national team but failed to guide them to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. 

Prolific period
The most prolific period of Van Gaal's coaching career was in charge of Dutch team AFC Ajax, where he won the 1995 Champions League, 1992 UEFA Cup and five Eredivisie titles.