Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal set for shock return to management with Japanese side Vissel Kobe
Ex-Manchester United boss won the FA Cup in his last match before being sacked in 2016
MANCHESTER UNITED flop Louis van Gaal is eyeing up a return to management with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
Japanese news outlet Hochi claims the J League club have placed van Gaal at the top of their managerial shortlist.
van Gaal, who has never managed outside of Europe, was sacked by United's heirachy despite winning the 2016 FA Cup.
The Dutchman, who was fired because his side played poor quality of football, would become the first Champions League winner to manage in Japan's top flight.
In the 2015/16 season United scored only 49 league goals and were criticised for the lack of attacking play as they finished fifth in the Premier League table.
The Dutchman can however claim the credit for giving England striker Marcus Rashford his big break.
The former Ajax and Barcelona coach has taken a year off since he was axed by United.
The Japanese club have struggled this season despite the £4.5 million arrival of World Cup winner Lukas Podolski - who has scored two goals in four league games.
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Kobe are currently 11th in the 18-team J League and 10 points off the bottom three.
After a poor run of results Kobe sacked their manager, Nelsinho, who took full responsibility for the teams form.
"Unfortunately, I couldn't achieve what we were aiming for, but I was able to see the team grow a lot toward earning a title in football," Nelsinho said in a statement released by the club.
"But as a professional, I feel greatly responsible for not being able to live up to everyone's expectations."