Edwin van der Sar is stepping down as director general of Ajax after the team finished a disappointing third in the Dutch league, missing out on a Champions League berth for next season.
Van der Sar’s Extensive Background as a Goalkeeper and Board Member
Van der Sar, a former goalkeeper for teams including Ajax and Manchester United, as well as the Dutch national team, had been a member of the board of the Amsterdam club since late 2012 and director general since 2016. His contract ran until mid-2025.
Van der Sar’s Decision to Depart Due to Exhaustion and Future Uncertainty
“After nearly 11 years on the board, I’m exhausted,” Van der Sar said in a statement Tuesday. “It doesn’t feel good to have to make imminent decisions about the future of this beautiful club. Hence my decision to stop now.”
Continuation of Work Requested Until August
Following the unexpected departure of coach Alfred Schreuder, Ajax faced a pivotal moment as they sought a successor. However, no immediate replacement was named for the vacant position. Instead, the club’s supervisory board made a request to Edwin van der Sar, the renowned former goalkeeper and current CEO of Ajax, to continue his involvement until August. Despite expressing their desire for van der Sar to stay, the board respected his decision to step away from coaching responsibilities.
Pier Eringa, the chairman of the supervisory board, acknowledged that the past season’s disappointing results did not define van der Sar’s entire tenure at the club. He emphasized that Ajax had experienced significant success, substantial growth, and gained considerable international recognition under van der Sar’s leadership. This recognition highlighted the board’s confidence in his abilities and the positive impact he had made during his time with the club.
In this style, the focus is placed on the transition period following Schreuder’s departure and the subsequent decision to request van der Sar’s continued involvement until August. The emphasis is on the club’s respect for van der Sar’s choice and their appreciation for the successes achieved under his guidance. “We wanted Edwin to stay, but he had made his decision. We have to respect that,” supervisory board chairman Pier Eringa said. “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.”
Changes at Ajax Throughout the Season
In a surprising turn of events, Ajax made a decisive move in January by parting ways with coach Alfred Schreuder due to a disappointing start to the season. The club swiftly sought a replacement and turned to one of their own, former defender John Heitinga, to take charge until the end of the season. This marked a significant change for Ajax, as they had initially brought in Schreuder to fill the shoes of Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag had left the club the previous year to join Manchester United after leading Ajax to back-to-back Dutch league titles and a memorable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. The appointment of Heitinga reflected Ajax’s determination to navigate through this challenging period and find stability in their coaching staff.
