Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal has revealed he was all set to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2002.
Van Gaal reveals his tie-up with United in the autobiography he launched last week.
He said: "It was before the World Cup of 2002. I was in contact with Manchester United through Peter Kenyon [then chief executive].
"It was said to me that Alex Ferguson was going to retire.
"The moment he'd go, I'd succeed him. But in the end Ferguson didn't want to quit!''