"Weird man!" - Edwin van der Sar's past comments on Erik ten Hag re-emerge after Ajax exit
He once called Ten Hag a "weird man".
Edwin van der Sar’s past comments on Erik ten Hag have re-emerged amid speculation the Manchester United legend could return to Old Trafford.
On Tuesday morning Van der Sar resigned from his post as Ajax's chief executive, having been in the role since 2016.
Ajax have endured a disappointing season, finishing third in the Eredivisie, 12 points behind champions Feyenoord, to miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time since 2009.
Indeed, having been champions for the past two seasons, it was the first time the Amsterdam club had not finished outside the Eredivisie’s top two for 14 years.
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In turn, Van der Sar announced his resignation, saying in a statement: "We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredibly tough period.
"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."
Amid the 52-year-old’s Ajax departure, fans have speculated whether Van der Sar could return to United.
Van der Sar on Ten Hag
In October, Van der Sar dismissed suggestions he could return to United, the club where he spent the final six seasons of his playing career.
Meanwhile, while there appears to be much respect between the pair, Van der Sar’s past comments on United boss Ten Hag suggest that a reunion between them is perhaps not imminent.
Speaking to BT Sport in September, after United signed Antony and Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, Van der Sar claimed Ten Hag was not helping Ajax.
On Ten Hag, who managed Ajax for five successful years, Van der Sar said: “So, of course, we're losing Erik. We knew we were losing already a great manager. And yeah, he's not really helping us.
“Of course, he took two of our best players also [Antony and Martinez], we got a good transfer fee for them. And of course, that is the fate a little bit that Ajax has.”
Months earlier, during Ajax’s title celebrations in 2022, Van der Sar took time to pay tribute to Ajax's departing boss, and also called him a “weird man”.
Van der Sar said via 90min: "Erik...sometimes I thought 'you are a weird man'. But you surpassed all expectations. Dominant football, semi-final Champions League, and league titles.
"You will leave for a club that is close to my heart. I wish you all the best there. Thank you, Erik ten Hag!"
Topics: Football, Transfers, Edwin Van Der Sar, Premier League, Ajax, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag
Chris Byfield