Can Edwin van der Sar help Man Utd secure Antony signing?

Karan Tejwani

Updated: 27 Aug 2022 17:11 BST
4 min read

Edwin van der Sar has become one of the top CEOs in European football over the last few years, overseeing Ajax’s rise as they challenge with Europe’s best.

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Just a decade ago, Ajax were struggling and left lacking behind compared to their European rivals, but are now one of the continent’s healthiest clubs with policies in place to help them grow further.

They’re an undisputed force in the Netherlands, winning three of the last four Dutch championships, reached a Champions League semi-final and are developing players to compete at that level.

Van der Sar has had a huge role in that, and his rise from one of the world’s finest goalkeepers to excellent CEO is great as well – and he learned a bit at Manchester United.

Van der Sar rose through Ajax ranks

Immediately after he retired, the former goalkeeper took up a course at the Johan Cruyff Institute in Sports Marketing and Leadership, eager to join the business side of football.

He did well there, and had ambitions to take up a directorial position at Ajax in some form in his future career after his playing days, inspired by former Manchester United chief David Gill.

Van der Sar watched Gill in action when the pair were at Old Trafford, taking lessons from how he handled business during their pre-season tours of the United States and the Far East.

In November 2012, Van der Sar returned to Ajax after 13 years away, becoming the club’s first-ever marketing director, working to build relationships with Chinese companies and getting new, lucrative sponsors.

He achieved both targets well, and in 2016, was promoted to Chief Executive, having declined the opportunity a year prior as he felt he wasn’t ready enough.

In that time, along with Director of Football Marc Overmars, they revolutionized the club’s transfer policy as well as their academy, bringing in more expensive, experienced players, while investing heavily in the academy.

According to @volkskrant Edwin van der Sar has stepped in to personal assist in the negiotations with Antony and Manchester United.

This guy does more for Manchester United than Richard Arnold ever has, I really wish I was joking.

I know the fee is high but still.#MUFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ZY0EZOSRDL

— UtdActive 🔴 (@UtdActive) August 26, 2022

They managed to establish dominance domestically, while reaching a Europa League semi-final in 2017 and Champions League final in 2019 and developing great players like Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and more.

There’s often a confusion that Van der Sar is involved in transfers, but that’s not the case: it was led by Overmars until he departed, and it’s currently the duo of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Gerry Hamstra.

Manchester United will be hoping to use the good relationship they have and according to Dutch reports, Van der Sar is involved in this particular case as the saga for winger Antony drags on.

The former goalkeeper has taken charge of negotiations, as Ajax hold out for a big fee – they don’t need to sell, but want the right amount this late in the window and also want time to find a replacement.

The Dutchman has maintained good relations with Manchester United, penning a letter to their fans when Donny van de Beek moved to Old Trafford back in 2020.

Van der Sar has done exceptionally well in recent years with Ajax, and expects to stay there for some time and while he’s focused on building his club up, his former club may see some benefit with him being there.