"Weird man!" - Edwin van der Sar's past comments on Erik ten Hag re-emerge after Ajax exit

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.

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.

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."

Van der Sar on Ten Hag

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”.

"You will leave for a club that is close to my heart. I wish you all the best there. Thank you, Erik ten Hag!"