World Cup clause in Van Gaal deal

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- Louis van Gaal's contract extension with AZ Alkmaar came with a clause that will allow him to leave the Dutch team if he gets a chance to coach at the World Cup.

The former Netherlands coach signed a contract Monday that will keep him with AZ though 2010.

But he can leave the team in 2009 to coach a major team at the 2010 World Cup, including Argentina, Germany, Spain, England and the Netherlands.

"I want to coach a country I can win something with," Van Gaal said.

Another clause in the contract with AZ will allow Van Gaal to be hired by any team that qualifies for the World Cup in South Africa, but not for such a long period.

"Now, I still have the chance to work at a World Cup and stay here," Van Gaal said.

He led Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995 and was later appointed Netherlands coach, but failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Van Gaal then spent one season at Barcelona, but was fired after the team struggled and dropped into the bottom half of the Spanish league standings.

Van Gaal took over as AZ Alkmaar coach in 2005. The team is third in the Dutch league and is in the quarterfinals of this season's UEFA Cup, where it is due to face Werder Bremen on Thursday.

His name has been linked to a possible move to Australia, which is looking for a successor to Guus Hiddink. Van Gaal said that move was still a possibility.

"I would like to coach Australia, but you know from the outset that you won't win anything," Van Gaal said.