Dutch giants Ajax have announced that former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will leave his post as the club's chief executive officer this summer.
Ajax say that the legendary shot-stopper has made the decision to resign and that he will officially depart on August 1, though he will transfer his duties to his colleagues on the board of directors from June 1. He will stay at the club until the beginning of August because the club's supervisory board wants him to ensure a good transfer of both national and international dossiers.
Van der Sar, who spent six years at Old Trafford as a player, has been on Ajax's board of directors since November 2012. He agreed to become the club's CEO four years later in November 2016.
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Addressing his impending exit from the Dutch giants, Van der Sar said in a statement: "After almost 11 years on the board, I am done. We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredibly tough period.
"I am very grateful for the people I have met and worked with during my second career at Ajax, and what we have achieved and been through together. I feel the need to take some distance, to get some rest, and to do other things.
"It doesn't feel good to take decisions about the future of this wonderful club in the coming period. That is why I have decided to resign."
Pier Eringa, the chair of Ajax's supervisory board, added: "We wanted Edwin to stay, but he had made his decision. We have to respect that.
"The last season does not reflect the entire period that he has been in charge of Ajax. The club has seen a lot of success, has seen a lot of growth, and gained international exposure. His tasks will be transferred to the remaining members of the board.
"Edwin will be available for the transfer and advise until August. We expect to announce a new board of directors after August 1. It's our ambition to add someone to the board with an Ajax background."
United, of course, have had plenty of dealings with Ajax over the past year or so, raiding them for manager Erik ten Hag, as well as both Lisandro Martinez and Antony. Van der Sar has been heavily linked with a return to Old Trafford in recent years to take on an upstairs role.
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