“I’m exhausted !” : Edwin van der Sar RESIGNS as CEO of Ajax and reveals ‘incredibly difficult times’ at the club…
- Edwin van der Sar to step down as Ajax CEO
- The former Man United goalkeeper took on the role at the club in 2016
- However, after their poor campaign in 2022-23, he decided to quit the job
Edwin van der Sar has resigned as Ajax chief executive and has revealed the ‘incredibly difficult period’ which led to the decision.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper had spent seven years in the role, since his appointment in 2016, before choosing to leave on Tuesday morning.
The decision comes shortly after the end of the Eredivisie campaign, where Ajax finished 13 points behind league winners Feyenoord.
It wasn’t the season many fans expected – as they ultimately missed out on Champions League football for next season – given their long-standing dominance.
However, things didn’t go well for the Dutch side and, as he bid farewell to the club, van der Sar lifted the lid on his reasons for quitting the role.
Edwin van der Sar (above) has resigned as Ajax chief executive
The news comes at the end of a disappointing season for Ajax – who finished 3rd in the league
Talk to club website, van der Sar said: “After almost eleven years on the board, I am exhausted. We’ve been through some really great things, but it’s also been an incredibly difficult time.
“I am very grateful to the people I have met and worked with during my second career at Ajax for what we have achieved and experienced. Now I need to distance myself, to relax and do something else.
“It does not feel good to have to make decisions about the future of this beautiful club in the coming period. Hence my decision to quit now.
The former United goalkeeper has faced criticism in recent weeks as Ajax struggled to perform on the pitch and fell to a third-place finish.
It was their worst league performance in 13 years and the first time they failed to qualify for the Champions League since the 2008-09 season.
Despite 10 signings throughout the season – including Steven Bergwijn and Calvin Bassey – they finished well below title winners Feyenoord.
Moreover, van der Sar had already faced backlash following the respective departures of director of football Marc Overmars and head coach Erik ten Hag.
Van der Sar had already suffered a backlash following the departure of Erik ten Hag (R) last summer
And, although fans were unhappy with van der Sar’s performance, Supervisory Board Chairman Pier Eringa reiterated that they wanted him to “stay”.
“We wanted Edwin to stay, but his decision has been made and we have to respect it,” Eringa explained. “The past season is not representative of Ajax’s total period under his management.
“The club has enjoyed many successes, grown enormously and also gained international prestige. His duties will be taken over by the current management. Edwin will remain available for transfer and advice until August.
“We hope to be able to announce the new leadership composition soon after August 1. Our ambition is to add someone with Ajax experience at the top.
Steven Bergwijn was one of Ajax’s big summer signings, having joined from Spurs for £28million
