May 30, (THEWILL) – Former Manchester United and Fulham goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, is set to leave his position as Chief Executive Officer of Ajax this summer, the Dutch club confirmed on Tuesday.
Van der Sar, who initially joined Ajax’s marketing team in 2012, gradually rose through the ranks, catching the attention of his former club, Manchester United. Despite previous claims that he was committed to Ajax, the Dutchman is now ready to step away from his role and will pass on his duties in June. However, Van der Sar has agreed to assist with the transition until August 1.
Speaking about his decision, Van der Sar expressed his gratitude for the opportunities and challenges he faced during his 11-year tenure at Ajax. He stated: “We have experienced wonderful things together but it has also been an incredibly tough period. I feel the need to take some distance, to get some rest, and to do other things.”
Although the departure comes as a surprise, Ajax board member, Pier Eringa, acknowledged Van der Sar’s decision and expressed the club’s ambition to appoint a new board member with an Ajax background after August 1. Van der Sar’s departure has sparked speculation about a potential move to Manchester United, as he had previously worked with United’s current manager, Erik ten Hag, at Ajax.
Van der Sar has been vocal about his admiration for Ten Hag’s drive and determination, praising his training methods and tactical approach. While Ajax attempted to convince Ten Hag to stay, it was evident that the allure of the challenge at Manchester United enticed him. As Van der Sar exits Ajax, the focus now shifts to his future endeavours, with the possibility of reuniting with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
