Van Gaal's Fulham speculation persists

LOUIS VAN GAAL’S representative last night declined the opportunity to end speculation linking the former Barcelona boss with the vacant Fulham post.

The Dutchman, who left the Nou Camp in January, is reported to have met senior Cottagers officials in an Amsterdam hotel yesterday to discuss becoming Jean Tigana's successor.

Van Gaal's solicitor Cor Hellingman was offered several chances to put a halt to claims his client is interested in teaming up with Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed.

But Hellingman opted to choose his words carefully and said: "Louis is contemplating several positions but I'm not going to say if Fulham are among them or not.

"Louis' position is that he's weighing up his options. I couldn't comment on any discussions, if there were any, as discussions are always confidential."

Van Gaal, 51, who has also coached Ajax Amsterdam and the Dutch national side, does not fit Fulham's stated intention to recruit "the next David Moyes" but he would command enormous respect from the club's many internationals, something a boss promoted from Division One such as bookmakers' favourites George Burley and Alan Pardew may lack.

William Hill rate van Gaal at 16-1 to assume the reins from caretaker boss Chris Coleman.

Van Gaal revealed his admiration for Fulham and the Premiership when Edwin van der Sar made his £7million transfer from Juventus to Fulham in August 2001.

The then Holland coach assured van der Sar his status as his country's number one goalkeeper would not be affected by swopping Juve for the Cottagers.

Van der Sar said: "I've spoken with van Gaal and he said the Premier League is one of the biggest and best competitions in the world.

"He doesn't have any problem with me playing for Fulham."