Edwin van der Sar has been approached in the past for a position at Manchester United, as he stated on Sunday morning in the program Good morning Eredivisie from ESPN. The Manchester Evening News recently compiled a three-person list following the announced departure of Vice President Ed Woodward. On that list, a prominent place was also given to Van der Sar, the current general manager of Ajax. It is not the first time that the former goalkeeper has been linked with a return to Old Trafford.
The aforementioned English newspaper thinks Van der Sar is the favorite candidate among the Manchester United supporters. Van der Sar cannot deny that he saw the rumors passing by. “That is always an honor, if it is positive,” the CEO refers to the fact that his name is circulating in Manchester. “It’s not new either. My name has been around for a while, there are more and more former players in certain positions there. And everyone has ambitions. Have I ever been approached? Yes, a few years ago.”
In addition to Van der Sar, Richard Arnold and Cliff Baty, who already hold executive positions at the English top club, are also on the list. “I would not be able to do this job at a club I have nothing to do with,” said Van der Sar. The former goalkeeper was under contract with United between 2005 and 2011 and wore the shirt of the English superpower in the Premier League 186 times. “But I am extremely happy with what we have been able to achieve at Ajax. Ten years ago we had the ambition to join the European top, and we have lived up to those words. We did that through hard work, we don’t have a rich sugar daddy or a government to help us. ”
Van der Sar does not dare to estimate how serious the interest is at the moment. “Maybe I am not on their list, am I? I am not a typical CEO, I am also more from the football side. Manchester United is also a different story than Ajax. You work there with an owner who likes it. with you, or do you like your life in Noordwijk and Amsterdam enough? That is the question. ” Should Van der Sar choose to succeed Woodward, it will not be immediately after this season. Manchester United will only say goodbye to the vice-president, who has been with the club since 2005, at the end of 2021.
Moreover, according to Van der Sar, there is still plenty to be gained in Amsterdam. On Sunday afternoon, the team of trainer Erik ten Hag can win the 35th national title, if at least one point is taken in the home match against FC Emmen. “It’s on track, that’s right. But you also want to perfect things. A European prize is something that triggers me. We are building Ajax as a global brand. Not only in terms of football, but also in terms of social security. media and business. It’s cool to work on that, at the club where you started. So I want to finish that too. “