Van Gaal talks about signings, Mourinho and Fergie

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has set his sights on winning the title in his first season.

The current Holland national boss has signed a three-year deal to take charge at Old Trafford after this summer’s World Cup.

The 62-year-old has a proven track record of success having won league crowns with Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich.

Now his task is to restore confidence at United, after a disappointing season in which they finished seventh, and reclaim the Barclays Premier League title.

Dutch journalist Elko Born translated the most important quotes from the interview.

On his close relationship with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, the Holland manager said: "Mourinho was the first one I texted. And he was the first one to text me back. He said he was jealous of my list of clubs."

Van Gaal: 'Mourinho congratulated me, and he even told he was a bit jealous of my list of clubs. "Especially the great AZ!" he even said'

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) May 19, 2014

He also admitted that he and Alex Ferguson have always been on friendly terms as he becomes the successor to the successor.

He said: "I’ll undoubtedly have a drink with Ferguson. We’ve done that before. We like each other."

Van Gaal: ‘I’ll undoubtedly have a drink with Ferguson. We’ve done that before. We like each other.’

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) May 19, 2014

As expected, he was slightly more evasive about potential signings.

He said: "We don’t talk about money. We talk about the players I want. We’ll have to see if we can get them. We also talked about who can go.

"I told them my vision, who I wanted in my staff, what I wanted for the future. They were impressed."

V. Gaal:‘We don’t talk about money. We talk about the players I want. We’ll have to see if we can get them. We also talked about who can go’

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) May 19, 2014

Van Gaal on talking to Woodward: 'I told them my vision, who I wanted in my staff, what I wanted for the future. They were impressed.'

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) May 19, 2014

He also added that Man United contacted him immediately after David Moyes was sacked.

Van Gaal also revealed United contacted him immediately after Moyes was fired.

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) May 19, 2014

Asked what his objectives were, Van Gaal said on Dutch TV: “That they are back as soon as possible at spot number one, (that) they (fans) will think they are champions of England again within a year.

“Spain saw me succeed in my first year and in Germany as well. In England, it must also be possible.

“But there can only be one champion. I would be proud if it works right away.”

Van Gaal may now be switching his immediate attention to the World Cup in Brazil but he has reportedly already handed United a list of transfer targets.

The Dutchman, however, also has a fine reputation for bringing through youngsters and he intends to give youth its chance again at United.

“You do not only do it with stars, but also with youth players,” said Van Gaal, who will succeed the sacked David Moyes.

Van Gaal intends to meet with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has remained at Old Trafford as a director since retiring a year ago.

“I will certainly go for a drink with him,” Van Gaal said.

“I’ve often done it before. We are like each other, I always put more pressure on myself than other people do.”

Youngster Adnan Januzaj, whose emergence was one of the most positive aspects of Moyes’ ill-fated reign, is looking forward to working with the new manager.

The 19-year-old said: “He is an excellent coach, who has won a lot of prizes. I think United are facing a bright future.”

One of Van Gaal’s first jobs has been to appoint Ryan Giggs as his assistant.

The long-serving Giggs, 40, has ended his glittering 24-season playing career to take up the opportunity.

Januzaj said: “Giggs is very important to us. He gets a lot of respect and also helps me constantly.”

United are still to clarify the future of two of Moyes’ backroom staff in coach Phil Neville and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods.

It is also unclear whether Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, who came into the first-team coaching set-up during Giggs’ recent four-match spell as interim manager, will still have prominent roles.

Butt had previously been working in the club’s youth structure while Scholes, who retired as a player a year ago, was brought in by Giggs.