Louis van Gaal is delighted to have been honoured by the Dutch Judo Federation, picking up its Anton Geesink Award, and claims that he can see parallels between his career and that of the Dutch judo master.
The Manchester United manager picked up the award on Saturday at a ceremony held at the Papendal sports hall, collecting an accolade which is a cast of the head of Geesink, a legendary Dutch judo master.
Geesink, who died in 2010, won gold at the 1964 Olympics and won Sportsman of the Year on four occasions.
Van Gaal picked up the award and remarked at the ceremony: "I find it amazing that I've been given the Anton Geesink Award.
"The path that Anton Geesink took was not always clear, just like my own.
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"That creates a bond", he added.
Van Gaal recalled that as a 13-year-old he had a judo lesson with Geesink, with the master often using him as an example.
And the Manchester United manager recalled that: "I flew through the air and he lay down on me.
"That didn't really do my confidence much good and that is why I did not opt for judo", he joked.
Van Gaal led the Netherlands national team to third place at last summer's World Cup and has been well recognised in his homeland for the feat.
He is now in England and attempting to help Manchester United regain their place in the Champions League after they only managed to finish seventh in the Premier League last season.
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