Opinion: Edwin van der Sar’s Ajax departure will lead to Manchester United rumours

Ajax have confirmed that Edwin van der Sar will leave his role as chief executive officer of the club this summer.

After joining Ajax’s marketing team in 2012 he worked his way up through the ranks, impressing colleagues behind the scenes in drew attention from some of the biggest clubs in the world after becoming chief executive officer.

And, as a former Manchester United goalkeeper, it’s only a matter of time before he is drawn into the equation of returning to the club to join the hierarchy – especially if a takeover is successful this summer.

Van der Sar has admitted he is prepared to walk away from Ajax and will hand over his duties in June (though he will continue to work at the club until August 1 to help the transition process, something he couldn’t manage follow Ten Hag’s departure a year ago).

“After almost eleven years on the board, I am done,” Van der Sar told Ajax’s official website. “We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredible tough period. I am very grateful for the people I have met and worked with during my second career at Ajax, and what we have achieved and been through together.

“I feel the need to take some distance, to get some rest, and to do other things. It doesn’t feel good to take decisions about the future of this wonderful club in the coming period. That is why I have decided to resign.”

When previously quizzed on the sporting director role at United, Van der Sar insisted he could not take the job because he was ‘not finished’ with Ajax.

The tide changed at Ajax this season as the aftermath of Marc Overmars and Erik ten Hag drags on.

They had an abysmal campaign and Ajax fans have been calling for Van der Sar’s head – adding him to the many they blame for this season’s complete and utter failure.

However, the news has predictably led to calls from some United fans on social media to bring Van der Sar back to Old Trafford.

My honest take on this is, I find it mental how the media fuels reputations in football because struggle to see exactly what he has done to get a role at the club?

Van der Sar was a club legend as a player, but I am not naive to think that would make him a brilliant executive at United. He won the Champions League in 2008 as well as four Premier League titles during his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, but his Ajax work to date is neither here nor there.

I hope Van der Sar is a success in whatever role he takes next.

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3 Comments

  1. Would still be an upgrade on the calibre of administrators we currently have dont u think?The recent capitulation of the club has more to do with the player & staff haemorrhage that’s constantly taking place there that’s now taking its toll.He won’t face such prospects at Utd.Works well with ten Hag & I’m sure they understand each other better.

  2. Van der Saar did a very good job at Ajax they dominated eredivisie for 4 years and made many good signings that turned very good profits.

    Last year they made 100m euros on transfers so wer bound to struggle along with losing ETH.

    He also went to school to learn prior to him getting work at ajax so his appointment wasn’t just due to him being an Ajax legend.

    I find it strange that the fans have turned on the club tbh. Yes it’s a poor season but after so many successful years maybe the fans should be a little pragmatic. Most clubs struggle to replace such a successful manager.

    He would be a good appointment at United. Can’t be worse than the likes of murtagh that’s for sure.

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