Louis van Gaal bizarrely reveals Holland World Cup 2022 squad numbers have been assigned by AGE as 39-year-old takes No1
LOUIS VAN GAAL has claimed Holland’s World Cup squad numbers have been assigned by age.
But a closer look at the squad shows a random allocation with no method to the madness.
Louis van Gaal has left fans confused with his squad number assignmentGetty
Ajax’s 39-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer is the oldest player in the squad and he takes the number one jersey.
But Jurrien Timber, 21, is number two and only one midfielder takes one of the first 11 numbers – Steven Berghuis.
Senior players such as Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind are numbered 22 and 17 respectively.
While Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong takes his favoured number 21 shirt – the number he has worn his entire career.
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Asked how he picked the numbers, Holland boss Van Gaal said: “I am the one who decided the squad numbers this time and they are based on the age of the players.”
And when questioned by a reporter if he was joking, he hit back: “No. I don’t make jokes during a press conference. It’s based on their age.”
The selection left fans perplexed with one commenting: “How is this based on their ages?”
Another added: “This man really has gone insane in the last few weeks I’m convinced.”
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And a third said: “Same energy as that dad that can’t remember the kids’ names so just assigns them numbers.”
Many others found Van Gaal’s attitude hilarious and it seems the former Manchester United manager is set to entertain at the World Cup.
Last week he revealed he saw some of his players naked while informing them they had not made his World Cup squad.