The former goalkeeper started in 2012 as director of marketing at Ajax and has fulfilled the role of general director at the club from Amsterdam since 2016. “Yes, I’m having a good time, but there are always challenges and things knocking on the door.”
Van der Sar looks back on the past five years with a good feeling. “We wanted to connect with the European top and we succeeded,” he says. “Three seasons ago we were in the semi-finals of the Champions League and now we are wintering again, while we have sold many players. Also don’t forget that in the last two seasons we also scored 10 points in the group stage of the Champions League. You often continue with that.”
“Ajax’s name goes all over the world and we always succeed in marketing our name creatively,” says Van der Sar, who is disappointed that Ajax is playing football in the stands again without fans. “We have a very big stadium, a very nice stadium. If there is zero man in there, or if we are only allowed to sell 12,000 single tickets, it will be very expensive,” he realizes. “Last year it cost us 33 million euros. Then there was a very long period of time when there were no spectators. We all hope it will be a little shorter this time. But I don’t think it’s really clear yet.”
“The most important thing is that we do well in sport,” continues Van der Sar. “That you get a little far in the Champions League. Or that you can hopefully become champion again or win the cup. We are a football club. These are sporting prizes. But for that we also have to get income from our stadium. That will have a significant impact again this year.”
