Schwarzesbrett » I hope to be there every step of the way."

MANCHESTER, England -- Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal was hired as Manchester United manager on Monday, tasked with repairing the damage from David Moyes disappointing 10 months in charge and reviving the fortunes of one of the worlds biggest clubs. The 62-year-old Dutchman has signed a three-year contract and will take over at Old Trafford after the World Cup in Brazil, becoming the first United manager from outside Britain and Ireland. United great Ryan Giggs, who announced the end of his 23-year playing career, will be Van Gaals assistant. "To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud," Van Gaal said in a United statement. "This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together Im sure we will make history." Van Gaal has experience of coaching -- and winning league titles -- at some of the worlds top teams, but even spells at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich may not prepare him for the rebuilding job required at United. The club has been in a state of flux since the retirement of Alex Ferguson last May after nearly 27 years in charge. Moyes, Fergusons successor, was dismissed last month before the team went on to finish seventh -- its lowest placing since the Premier Leagues inception in 1992. United also failed to qualify for European football for the first time in 24 years. Van Gaal is likely to be handed considerable funds to strengthen the squad to get United back in the Champions League, something the clubs American owners -- the Glazer family -- werent prepared to give Moyes. A return to Europes top competition will likely be the priority, followed by a desire to play the kind of attacking, dynamic brand of football expected at United but unable to be delivered by Moyes. United has broken the mould by appointing Van Gaal. In the clubs 136-year history, no previous manager has come from outside Britain or Ireland, a common occurrence at Englands other big clubs in recent years. The notion of United hiring coaches in a bid to create a dynasty -- something Ferguson uniquely achieved -- also appears to have ended. After spending six years at Ajax, where Van Gaal guided a talented young team to the pinnacle of European football by winning the Champions League in 1995, he joined Barcelona in 1997 for the first of two spells -- the first lasting three seasons and the second barely half a year. He has since coached AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league and Bayern between 2009-11. So he may not be the long-term manager many at United crave -- Giggs, Uniteds interim manager for last seasons final four games and one of the clubs greatest players, is thought to be being groomed for the seat in the future -- but the fact that Van Gaal has won league titles with every team he has worked makes him one of Europes most-respected coaches. He has been coach of the Netherlands since 2012, his second spell with the national team following a stint from 2000-02. "Everyone is very excited about this new phase in the clubs history," United vice-chairman Ed Woodward said. "His track record of success in winning leagues and cups across Europe throughout his career makes him the perfect choice for us. "People know him as a larger-than-life character but I have also been extremely impressed by his intelligence, thoughtful approach to the role and his diligence." He can be spiky and provocative with journalists and hardly lacks in self-belief, a trait which can often spill over to make him appear arrogant. But after the failed tenure of Moyes, United needed a manager who commanded respect and had a strong track record. His job wont be easy. While United has regressed since landing its record-extending 20th English championship last year, rival Liverpool has improved greatly under Brendan Rodgers and finished second in the Premier League this season. Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are established members of the top group and showing no signs of being on the slide. The appointment of Giggs as Van Gaals No. 2 will satisfy those eager for some continuity at the club following the trophy-filled era of Ferguson. The 40-year-old Giggs published an open letter on Uniteds website an hour after Van Gaals appointment, praising the Dutchmans qualities and revealing his decision to end his playing days. "For me, today is new chapter filled with many emotions -- immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future," Giggs said. "United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way." Vincent Lecavalier Jersey . The union filed a grievance late Thursday, one day after Goodell suspended four players who participated in bounties from 2009-11. 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PETERSBURG, Fla.CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians have acquired catcher Chris Gimenez from the Texas Rangers for future considerations. The teams made the trade Saturday. Gimenez is expected to join the Indians on Sunday. Gimenez batted .262 in 34 games with the Rangers before being designated for assignment on Aug. 7. He was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock after being taken off the Rangers roster.dddddddddddd The 31-year-old Gimenez was drafted by Cleveland in 2004 and spent parts of the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Indians. He has a career .215 average, and has also played with Seattle and Tampa Bay. The Indians put catcher Yan Gomes on the seven-day concussion list Saturday. 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