Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on Twitter:, external Good luck to Louis Van Gaal as the new manager of Manchester United. Also to Ryan Giggs as No 2. Hope they get United back to the top where we belong.

Times chief football correspondent Oliver Kay on Twitter:, external Confirmed: Ryan Giggs has retired as a player at Manchester United after 23 years in order to be assistant manager to Louis van Gaal.

Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt describes new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal as a "winner" and a "special person", while Clarence Seedorf calls him a "great coach".

Van Gaal has signed a three-year contract and will take charge at Old Trafford after leading the Netherlands at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Former Liverpool player Kuyt is part of van Gaal's Dutch side preparing for the World Cup, while Seedorf played under van Gaal at Ajax when they lifted the Champions League trophy in 1995 without losing a single game.

Watch Kuyt and Seedorf talk about Manchester United's new manager on the BBC Sport website.

• The Dutchman started his career as a player at 20-years-old, playing for Royal Antwerp, Telstar, Sparta Rotterdam and AZ.

• His managerial career began in 1991 at Ajax, winning three league titles with the club, and most importantly the Champions League in 1995.

• He's credited with developing some of Dutch football's biggest stars of all time, including Patrick Kluivert, the De Boer brothers, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Edwin van der Sar.

• He has won league titles with every team he has managed, including Barcelona, AZ and most recently Bayern Munich.

• He's leading the Netherlands to the 2014 World Cup, with a very strong qualifying record of nine wins out of ten.

Infostrada Sports on Twitter:, external Van Gaal has won 19 trophies at club level, 1 fewer than Mourinho, 29 fewer than Sir Alex Ferguson, however 18 more than David Moyes.

Image source, Getty Images

Louis van Gaal is appointed Manchester United manager, external on a three-year deal. Below are a list of the trophies he has won in his career.

Ajax: Champions League: 1995, Uefa Cup: 1992, Uefa Super Cup: 1995, Eredivisie: 1994, 1995, 1996, Intercontinental Cup: 1995, Johan Cruyff Shield: 1993, 1994, 1995, KNVB-Beker: 1993.

Barcelona: Primera Division: 1998, 1999, Copa Del Rey: 1998, Uefa Super Cup: 1997

Az Alkmaar: Eredivisie: 2009

Bayern Munich: Bundesliga: 2010, DFB-Pokal: 2010, DFB-Supercup: 2010

Other honours: World Soccer Manager of the Year: 1995, Dutch Sports Coach of the Year: 2009, German Football Manager of the Year: 2010.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

"Louis van Gaal is known for his dictatorial approach and fierce discipline. But his record of success over the years has made him one of the most respected coaches in world football. And, in the mould of Sir Alex Ferguson, he can be an abrasive figure with the media.

"One big plus in his favour would be a close relationship with Manchester United striker Robin van Persie after constant rumours that the striker was unimpressed with Moyes.

Van Gaal and Van Persie have been seen watching games together in the Netherlands recently and he has trusted him enough to hand him the captain's armband of the national side."

Jamie Watson on Twitter:, external Not my first choice, but Louis van Gaal certainly has great credentials and has made a strong start by appointing Ryan Giggs as assistant.

Rhys Evans on Twitter:, external Louis Van Gaal. The chosen 'van'.

Ahmed on Twitter:, external Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho in the same league? Fireworks.

So with Louis van Gaal finally named as Manchester United's new manager, we want to know what you think about the appointment. Is he the right choice? What would be considered success for him next season? How big a job does he have on his hands?

Let us know via #bbcsportsday, text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook,

Some more reaction from Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager:

He told Manchester United's website:, external "Everyone is very excited about this new phase in the club's history. His track record of success in winning leagues and cups across Europe throughout his career makes him the perfect choice for us.

"People know him as a larger than life character but I have also been extremely impressed by his intelligence, thoughtful approach to the role and his diligence. I'm looking forward to working with him.

"I'm delighted that Louis has chosen Ryan as his assistant. Ryan's association with the club spans over two decades and his knowledge and stature will be of great use to Louis. In addition, this is a fantastic opportunity for Ryan to learn his trade alongside a world-class manager whose attacking instincts and belief in youth are tailor-made for Manchester United."

Image source, PA

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is named as Louis van Gaal's assistant after taking charge of the last four matches of the season as interim boss.

The club also announce Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout join as assistant coaches. Hoek is the Netherlands' goalkeeping coach while Bout will specialise in opposition scouting, having previously worked for Bayern Munich, Telstar, AZ, FC Volendam and Feyenoord.

Giggs said: "I am thrilled to have the chance to serve as assistant manager. Louis van Gaal is a world-class coach and I know I will learn a lot about coaching from being able to observe and contribute at such close quarters. Manchester United has been a huge part of my life and I'm delighted to be able to continue that relationship in such a key role."

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal speaking to the Manchester United website, external after being named the club's new boss after the World Cup:

He said: "It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League. 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 Old Trafford 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."

Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward talking to the club website, external on the appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager on a three-year deal:

"In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today. He 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."

Image source, Getty Images

Louis van Gaal will take over as manager of Manchester United after the World Cup. The Netherlands manager has signed a three-year contract. Ryan Giggs is named as his assistant.

BBC Sport's Dan Roan on Twitter:, external Manchester United fans your wait is almost over.

Australia playmaker Quade Cooper will be out of action for four months after scans on Monday reveal he needs surgery on his injured left shoulder.

Flyhalf Cooper, 26, fell awkwardly while playing for the Queensland Reds against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.

He will have the operation on Tuesday and then use the 16-week recovery period to have arthroscopic surgery to clean up loose cartilage in his hip. He will miss next month's three-test series against France, the rest of the Super Rugby competition, the opening two Bledisloe Tests and two Rugby Championship matches.

Image source, Reuters

Atletico Madrid fans transform the Spanish capital into a sea of red and white after the club win La Liga for the first time since 1996.

Fans flocked to the the streets to celebrate after Atletico claimed the point they needed against Barcelona on Saturday in a 1-1 draw, pipping the Catalan giants to the title.

Attention now turns to Saturday as Diego Simeone's team aim to complete an historic double when they face bitter rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League.

• 2005: Twice suffers knee ligament damage and has groin operation.

• 2006: Suffers a torn adductor muscle and another knee ligament injury.

• 2007: Returns to Test rugby scoring a Calcutta Cup record 27 points, including a full set of try, penalty, conversion and drop-goal in 42-20 win over Scotland.

• 2007: In October kicks all of England's points in 12-10 World Cup quarter-final win over Australia and in their 15-6 World Cup final defeat by South Africa.

James Ducker from the Times, external reports when Louis van Gaal is appointed manager of Manchester United, one his first acts will be to appoint Robin van Persie as his captain. The striker is Van Gaal's skipper for the Netherlands.

Rob Webber is added to England's preliminary squad for next month's tour to New Zealand and the fixture against the Barbarians on 1 June.

The Bath hooker's hopes of facing the All Blacks hinge on recovering from a knee problem and he faces a race against time to be ready for the first Test on 7 June.

England have added 18 players to their squad from beaten Aviva Premiership finalists Harlequins and Leicester, along with Sale's James Gaskell and Ross Harrison.

England squad additions: A Allen (Leicester Tigers), M Brown (Harlequins), R Buchanan (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), W Collier (Harlequins), J Gaskell (Sale), J Gibson (Leicester Tigers), J Gray (Harlequins), R Harrison (Sale), G Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), J Marler (Harlequins), C Matthews (Harlequins), G Parling (Leicester Tigers), C Robshaw (Harlequins), E Slater (Leicester Tigers), K Sinckler (Harlequins), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), L Wallace (Harlequins), D Ward (Harlequins), R Webber (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).