Edwin van der Sar is celebrating his fiftieth birthday today and it will be in The Telegraph paid extensive attention to it. Marc Overmars, among others, speaks about the general manager of Ajax. The former winger and director of player affairs speaks highly of his colleague, who according to him will become even better in his role as director.

Van der Sar and Overmars were put forward by Johan Cruijff after the Velvet Revolution. They grew into the new leaders of Ajax and together they had a great goal. “It didn’t matter which one, but we wanted to reach a European final again,” Overmars tells the newspaper. “We succeeded in 2017 and it tastes like more. Now we also want to win the Europa League or Champions League. ” The two directors have built up a special bond. “The great thing is that we experienced the successful nineties together. If you are still active as a player, you live in a daze. And only afterwards do you realize how unique that time was ”, Overmars now realizes. “Almost 25 years later, Ed and I as executives have almost achieved what we have achieved as players.”

Overmars thinks he and Van der Sar complement each other well. “We help each other at difficult times and that also applies to Susan Lenderink (financial director, ed.) And Menno Geelen (commercial director), but we know each other’s strengths and leave the important choices to those who are good in that area”, says Overmars, who has a lot of admiration for Van der Sar. “When I think about which committees of the ECA (European Club Association) and ECV (Eredivisie CV) Edwin is all part of, I am already dizzy. Let me take care of the football affairs and he gives me that free role. It’s like a football team. Each contributes its specific qualities. And as general manager, Edwin monitors the team process. ”

The way in which Van der Sar fulfills his function at Ajax can appeal to Overmars. “He had his best years when he was well into his thirties and I had long since quit. He was a late bloomer. And as a director he is also a striker. He is still getting better at this position. ” For how long Van der Sar and he will still hold these positions at Ajax is a question mark for Overmars. “When I was appointed, I thought I would stay for three or four years, but I’ve been there for eight seasons now. It is true for me – and for Edwin too, I think – that we will not continue to do this until we are sixty. This function consumes too much energy for that. The whole of the Netherlands is watching and has an opinion. There is also a lot in return. Together we are proud that Ajax is back in Europe. ”