Van der Sar to quit as Ajax chief after ‘tough period’

Former Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar announced Tuesday he was quitting as Ajax chief executive, after “an incredibly tough period” of more than a decade at the helm of the Amsterdam powerhouse.

Van der Sar’s resignation comes on the back of the worst season in 14 years for the top Dutch club which finished third in the Eredivisie after a 3-1 drubbing by FC Twente on Sunday.

“After almost 11 years on the board, I am done,” Van der Sar, 52, said in a statement.

“We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredibly tough period,” the former Manchester United ‘keeper said, who retired from professional football in 2011.