Board changes Ajax
30-05-2023 Edwin van der Sar has resigned his position as General Manager of Ajax. The 52-year-old former goalkeeper will transfer his responsibilities to his fellow Board members from June 1, 2023. Jan van Halst has been appointed as a member of Ajax's Supervisory Board. His appointment took place at an Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting for a period of 3.5 years.
The Supervisory Board asked Van der Sar to stay on formally until August 1 to allow for a proper handover of national and international affairs.
In a press release, he stated, "After almost 11 years on the board, I am exhausted. We have had some fantastic moments, but it has also been an extremely tough period. I feel the need to step back, unwind and do other things. It does not feel right to have to make decisions in the coming period that affect the future of this wonderful club. That is why I have decided to quit now."
Pier Eringa, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said they would have liked Van der Sar to have stayed. "But his decision was fixed and we respect that. Last season is not representative of Ajax's entire period under his leadership. The club has had many successes, grown enormously and gained international prestige. His duties will be taken over by the current management."
Eringa expects a new Board to be formed shortly after August 1.
Jan van Halst will take over the position from Danny Blind, who did not return to the Amsterdam club after his period as assistant national team coach under Louis van Gaal.
As a former soccer player who was active at Ajax, FC Twente, Vitesse and FC Utrecht, the 54-year-old Van Halst brings valuable experience. He will work with Chairman Pier Eringa, Annette Mosman, Cees van Oevelen and Georgette Schlick, who are also on the Supervisory Board.