Edwin van der Sar steps down as Ajax CEO

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

The former Manchester United and Fulham goalkeeper joined Ajax's marketing team in 2012 and worked his way up through the ranks, impressing with his work behind the scenes and attracting regular links with a return to former employers United.

United have long been chasing a sporting director and were heavily linked with a move for Van der Sar last summer, but the Dutchman always insisted he could not take the job because he was 'not finished' with Ajax.

Now, however, Van der Sar has admitted he is prepared to walk away from Ajax and will hand over his duties in June, although the former goalkeeper has agreed to stay on until August 1 to help the transition to new management.

"After almost eleven years on the board, I am done," Van der Sar said. "We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredibly 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.

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"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."

Board member Pier Eringa added: "We wanted Edwin to stay, but he had made his decision. We have to respect that. The last season does not reflect the entire period that he has been in charge of Ajax. The club has seen a lot of success, has seen a lot of growth, and gained international exposure. His tasks will be transferred to the remaining members of the board. Edwin will be available for the transfer and advise until August. We expect to announce a new Board of Directors after August 1. It's our ambition to add someone to the board with an Ajax background."

Van der Sar, who worked with United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax, has spoken openly of his admiration for the manager.

"He’s relentless, he wants to achieve as much as possible," Van der Sar told The Times last year. "The training exercises, the way he wants to play.

"Of course we tried to persuade him to stay, but Erik is someone who knows what he wants and the direction he wants to go. The moment United made their approach, it was obvious it was a big challenge for him and that he wanted to take it."

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