Van Der Sar pictured kissing the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2008
The former Manchester United keeper, who quit playing two years ago, took a Masters degree in sports management, enabling him to become Ajax’s director of marketing.
It means he is part of a star-studded emporium which will help ensure the famous Amsterdam club continues to play a big part in the European game.
Van der Sar explained: “Frank de Boer is the manager. Alongside him are Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jong. Marc Overmars is director of football. Jaap Stam is joining next season as an assistant coach. I’m director of marketing. It’s enjoyable, completely different from what I’ve been used to. It’s a case of working from 9am until 6pm or later. You thought as a player you had it tough but it’s nothing compared to working in an office doing a proper job.”
Although he doesn’t coach, the former Holland international can still utilise his experience when he is around the training ground.
“I try to bring some extra things to Ajax. I think everybody knows the way we try to bring young players through to the first team.
“You can’t really compare Ajax and the Dutch League to the clubs in Spain and England but we try to adjust. In the Champions League, we were third in the group behind Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, who are both in the semis. We were ahead of Manchester City, with all the money they spent, so it’s a good performance.
“We’re top of the league and are playing PSV Eindhoven this weekend. Hopefully we will be better next season.”
Van der Sar was back in Manchester last week at the Soccerex European Forum.
Despite defeat to neighbours Manchester City on Monday, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United travel to Stoke City today still 12 points clear at the top and well placed to land the club’s 20th league championship.
Van Der Sar thinks David De Gea is now showing the potential that Ferguson saw in the young Spaniard
It’s a never-give-up mentality. Other teams started dropping points and they kept going.
Edwin Van Der Sar
According to Van der Sar, it’s confirmation for his fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie that he made the right decision leaving Arsenal for Old Trafford.
“At the beginning of the season, United conceded a lot of goals and always ended up scoring in the last minute, Van Persie popping up with a header or a free-kick,” he said.
“They have shown consistency and determination, and that is what all Ferguson’s teams have shown. It’s a never-give-up mentality. Other teams started dropping points and they kept going.
“Yes, they lost on Monday but the damage has already been done to the other teams.”
Early in the season, when United were leaking goals, Van der Sar’s successor David de Gea came under fire from some quarters. But Van der Sar said: “I think he is progressing. He has had a fairly hard first year or so but he is getting used to the pace and showing the ability that made Ferguson sign him.
“I think the environment helps new players. The stability of the club, the qualities of the players and the strength of the dressing room help players slot in.”
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