• World Cup

United's Van Gaal and Van Persie pick up Dutch awards

ESPN staff
December 17, 2014
Robin van Persie also picked up an award at the ceremony in Amsterdam © Getty Images
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been named Dutch Coach of the Year with Robin van Persie also honoured for his stunning goal against Spain at the World Cup.

Van Gaal, who left his post as Netherlands boss in the summer to take over at United, picked up the prestigious prize on Tuesday night but insisted he was surprised to be chosen because his team did not win the tournament in Brazil.

The Netherlands, who beat defending champions Spain 5-1 in the group stage, finished third in Brazil and their only defeat came on penalties to Argentina in the semi-finals.

"What do you say? I'm standing here with mixed feelings," said Van Gaal at the ceremony in Amsterdam. "We ended in third place, in a room full of eight Olympic champions and 28 world champions here tonight. Maybe I've won this award because of the media."

The Netherlands were also named the Team of the Year while Arjen Robben became the first footballer to be named the Sportsman of the Year since Ruud Gullit in 1987.

United striker Robin van Persie was the recipient of the Dutch Sports Moment of the Year award for his stunning diving header against Spain in Brazil.

Van Gaal added: "I wasn't sure if I should turn up here tonight because footballers usually never win these kind of awards but, in the end, I thought that you should always go if you are nominated and now I'm standing here as the winner."

Van Gaal was also named Dutch Coach of the Year in 2009 after helping AZ Alkmaar win the Eredivisie.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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