Van Gaal appointed Manchester United manager

Louis van Gaal has been announced as the new Manchester United FC manager on a three-year contract.

Van Gaal will succeed David Moyes – dismissed on 22 April after less than ten months in charge – after concluding his second spell as Netherlands coach at the FIFA World Cup. Ryan Giggs, United's all-time leading appearance maker who acted as caretaker for the final four games of the Premier League season, will serve as assistant manager to the 62-year-old. Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout will join as assistant coaches.

In a statement on the club's website, Van Gaal said: "To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud. I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena it is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I'm sure we will make history."

Amsterdam-born Van Gaal has won multiple honours in his homeland, Germany and Spain. He had six glorious years at AFC Ajax in the 1990s, guiding them to three Eredivisie titles, a Dutch Cup, the 1992 UEFA Cup and the 1995 UEFA Champions League.

In 1997 he moved to Spain for a three-season stint at FC Barcelona, lifting two Liga titles and a Copa del Rey. Van Gaal took over at AZ Alkmaar in 2005, steering them to their first Dutch championship since 1981 in April 2009. Named Bayern coach a month later, he celebrated Bundesliga success in his first term, also adding the German Cup and reaching the UEFA Champions League final.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: "He [Van Gaal] has achieved many things in his career to date and Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story."

Van Gaal's first season at the helm will feature no European football after United finished seventh in 2013/14, ending their run of 18 consecutive appearances in the UEFA Champions League group stage.