Edwin van der Sar has disclosed he held talks with Manchester United over an government position, with the previous goalkeeper additionally giving his verdict on present keeper Senne Lammens
Edwin van der Sar has disclosed earlier talks over a doable return to Man Utd.(Image: The Overlap)
Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has revealed that he mentioned a possible return to the club in an government capability whereas in the same position at Ajax. The Dutch worldwide spent six seasons at Old Trafford following his change from Fulham in 2005.
He featured in 266 matches for the club, recording 135 clear sheets, earlier than calling time on his profession in 2011 aged 40. Soon after retiring from playing, he joined boyhood club Ajax in a directorial place.
He was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2016. He stepped down from his place in 2023 following the club’s failure to secure Champions League qualification after ending third within the Eredivisie.
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The 55-year-old has shared that there was a doable alternative to be a part of United in the same position, having spoken to the club on two occasions.
Speaking on The Overlap, he mentioned: “Yes, I spoke to Ed Woodward twice about taking on a job at Manchester United, however at that time, I did not assume my job was completed at Ajax with the trail we had been happening – we weren’t there but.
“But I had two good conversations with him on two separate events a couple of position, most likely alongside him.”
The goalkeeper situation has dominated conversations at Old Trafford throughout recent campaigns. Andre Onana joined Turkish Trabzonspor in the summer, with Senne Lammens arriving as his replacement. The Belgian has been praised for his displays, and Van der Sar has predicted that he will remain at the club long-term.
“He’s doing properly,” he said. “Of course, it is solely been seven or eight months.
“But it actually appears to be like like he is aware of the physicality of the Premier League – I see him coming for balls within the penalty spot and he claims them with confidence, makes saves when wanted, not trying to make saves when not mandatory.
“I’m not right here day-to-day and I do not see all the video games, however he appears to be like like he has a superb package deal with him to be right here [Manchester United] for a very long time.”
Van der Sar experienced a health scare just weeks after departing Ajax, suffering a bleed around the brain. He has since made a full recovery and is relishing additional time away from his career.
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“What was good for me was that I needed to have a relaxation, take a 12 months out of soccer, go to another golf equipment and be taught some new issues,” he mentioned.
“Wake up while you need, stroll the canine, go swim within the sea, go on vacation. I went to New Zealand for 2 months with Annemarie [his wife] – good issues that I by no means had the possibility to do earlier than.
“I started playing at 18 or 19, finished at 40, and at 41 I became one of the directors at Ajax until 53, so I thought it was the right time to take a step back. That’s taken a little bit longer than I originally thought, to be fair, but we are enjoying ourselves very much.”
