Louis van Gaal has finally admitted he would "love" to become the next Manchester United manager as anticipation builds he will be appointed at Old Trafford next week.
There had been considerable speculation the Holland coach would be confirmed as David Moyes' successor following Tuesday's win against Hull.
However, United are not planning to make an announcement until next week, after their final game of the campaign at Southampton, with the Dutchman confirming his desire to be given the job on Wednesday night.
"I would love the job," Van Gaal told English reporters at the start of a three-day Dutch World Cup training camp. "I hope that I shall be the one."
Warning: Do not ask Louis van Gaal a stupid question
He added: "You (the media) are thinking I'm the man but the most important thing is whether Manchester United are thinking that."
Asked for his thoughts on United, Van Gaal was typically dismissive.
"That is a stupid question, I think, it's a stupid question. Because they are the biggest club in the world. 'What do you know about Manchester United?' I'm sorry," he laughed.
Van Gaal, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, is leaving his current role at the end of this summer's tournament in Brazil and had apparently indicated that he wanted his future sorted before his first training camp began.
Louis van Gaal
The 62-year-old has managed his country before during qualification for the 2002 World Cup but left the post after a disastrous campaign which saw them fail to make the tournament in Japan and South Korea.
And with two further training camps of three days taking place in the next fortnight and the provisional Dutch squad due to be announced next Tuesday, he made it clear he did not want speculation over his future to serve as a distraction.
"I have to focus on my job," he said. "I am coach of the Dutch national team. I have waited a long time to be in a World Cup so that's very important.
"This doesn't affect me. I have always had offers. I know what the football world is and what it means."