During a book-signing event for his autobiography, 75-year-old Dutch coaching legend Louis van Gaal spoke about his book, whether there could still be another chapter in his coaching career, and Xavi's appointment as the new head coach of the Netherlands national team.

How does it feel to hold a signing event like this at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam today?

Yes, I come to the stadium quite often, just not usually for book signings. I am here today on behalf of my publisher. And it is truly incredible that people are willing to queue for two hours just to get an autograph. For me, that is also a tremendous sign of appreciation.

What was the most interesting question or comment you received today?

Actually, it came from the last gentleman who asked for an autograph. He told me a complete story about something that happened 50 years ago, and amazingly, every detail was true. I thought that was wonderful. A man like that stood in line for two hours just to tell me his story. That was really special.

What can we read in this newly reprinted edition of the book that wasn't in the previous version?

The book now includes material about the World Cup in Qatar, which was actually my final job as a national team coach. You can read about whether Louis van Gaal was still applying his philosophy of the "total person." That is all in there.

I have a feeling there could perhaps be another edition in the future, because you still seem so full of energy. You have also said that you actually feel healthier than ever, especially compared with a few years ago.

That is true. I certainly feel much more energetic now. But the football world isn't going to wait for a 75-year-old coach, even if I look like I am only 55.

Do you really believe that?

I still look quite young and energetic.

Yes, I think some good new opportunities could still come your way in the future.

I don't think so. I don't think so. Nobody needs me anymore.

So, when it comes to your coaching career, can we say that your football journey has reached its final chapter?

No, you should never say never. You never know what might happen. If a national team approached me and I felt I could make a difference, I would certainly consider it. But they would have to be capable of winning the World Cup.

We also know that one of your former players has, in a way, followed in your footsteps, as he has become the new head coach of the Netherlands. What did you think when you heard the news?

Xavi? I have known him for a long time. He was an extremely talented player. Being a midfielder is an advantage for a coach because midfielders can observe the whole pitch very well. I was a midfielder too, so was he, and he reached a much higher level as a player than I did, so that is an advantage for him.

But one advantage he doesn't have is that I received systematic theoretical coaching education, whereas he did not. Going abroad to coach without having gone through that kind of structured education is extremely difficult. I have too many examples of former players who failed when they went abroad to coach.

I don't want that to happen to Xavi, but it is certainly possible. However, I have a very good feeling about him as a person. He will bring back the style of football associated with Ajax or Barcelona. And I have to say, the Netherlands currently have a very strong squad.

When I was the national team coach, 60% of the players were playing in the Dutch league. By the time we went to Qatar, that figure was 50%. Do you know what it is now?

 I have no idea.

Only Wout Weghorst and Guus Til, who are substitutes, are playing in the Netherlands. Everyone else is playing abroad. That means you now have a very strong Netherlands squad.

So I am happy for him, and I hope he plays attacking football, because that is something I would also like to see.

We don't have a crystal ball and can't predict the future, so we can't judge his performance as a coach yet. But suppose he eventually writes an autobiography. How would you like him to describe his time coaching Barcelona?

I hope he goes further than I did, because then he can become a world champion. That would also be a wonderful thing for the Dutch people.

By then, your eyes will surely light up again when you see what your pupil has achieved with the Netherlands.

He isn't my pupil. He became a head coach through his own development.

But surely you can understand why we still see him, to some extent, as your pupil.

He was my pupil when he was a player, and I cannot deny that. But as a coach, I don't know him. I don't know what kind of coach he is. So I cannot judge him in that respect.

That is precisely why I say that I know him from the perspective of who he is as a person. He is a very good person.