Ajax CEO and former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar have admitted that he still has work to do at Ajax and has ruled out the chance of making an impending return to Manchester United.
Before retiring in 2011, the Dutch goalkeeper played at Old Trafford for six brilliant seasons during which he lifted the Champions League trophy in the year 2008.
Van der Sar started working as Ajax’s marketing director after taking a year off from the sport, and in 2016 he was elevated to his current position as CEO. The 51-year-old enjoyed great success at Ajax, where he closely partnered with former manager Erik ten Hag to create a great team that has recently dominated Dutch football. He also played a crucial role in the transfers of Lisandro Martinez and Antony to Old Trafford this summer.
Only last week did new reports surface linking Van der Sar to a move back to United in a similar administrative position. Van der Sar has long been linked with a return to the team but there has been no response from the Red Devils.
The legendary Dutchman, though, has denied those rumours and has revealed that he still has a lot of work to do at Ajax. As reported by the Mirror, he said:
“It’s never been that close. I have a good relationship with the board and I had a fantastic six years in Manchester, but I’m not finished here yet.”
Darren Fletcher, the technical director, and Richard Arnold, the CEO who was appointed at the beginning of the year, have been working closely with John Murtough, who serves as the football director at United.
However, the board would be looking at the possibility to bring the charismatic Ajax CEO to Old Trafford in the future. Van der Sar has been instrumental in building the club around young, energetic world-class players.
Along with Ten Hag, he had built a vital philosophy that is still running into the club’s veins. The legendary shot-stopper will be familiar with United’s board and it would be a great honour to have him at a club which has helped him shape his career.
