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The Chief Executive Officer of Dutch soccer side Ajax, Edwin van der Sar, has opened up on the painful loss from the Europa League this season.

The team was rebuilding itself into a European heavyweight again but there have been many setbacks.

A young side led by a dynamic manager Peter Bosz helped the team go far in the Dutch Eredivisie but they narrowly lost it. The talented manager exited the side to replace Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund so Ajax had to turn to Marcel Keizer for the new season.

Some players that formed the core of last season’s team have moved to other sides, like Davy Klaassen who joined Premier League side Everton FC. Klaassen skippered the young Dutch side to Ajax’s first European final in 21 years. The finalists last term against Manchester United struggled and were beaten 3-2 by Norwegian side GersbackRosenborg. Continue reading “VAN DER SAR: EUROPA LEAGUE EXIT IS DIFFICULT” →

Dutch side Ajax has confirmed that one of its players AbdelhakNouri has suffered a permanent brain damage.

The 20-year old collapsed on the pitch in the 73rd minute in a preseason friendly game against German side Werder Bremen.

He was attended to by the medical staff, who performed CPR on the spot. After initial test, the club announced that Nouri was functioning well and fine. However, further tests how that the player’s brain is permanently damaged.

“#Ajax are deeply saddened by the news that AppieNouri has been diagnosed with serious and permanent brain damage. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his loved ones in this difficult time,” the club revealed online.

The director of the club Edwin van der Sar said: “This is the worst possible message. It’s terrible. We feel enormously for his parents, siblings and other relatives. Their suffering is impossible to describe. The blow is also being felt at Ajax, though we knew we had to consider this scenario. They were uncertain days, lots of people in different ways have sympathized with his situation.”

Nouri has attracted sympathy from the Dutch football community. Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie joined in tweeting support for the player and his family.

The youngster is expected at Amsterdam where he would undergo further treatment. He played 15 games, scoring once in the last term. The whole team is sending their support and praying he pulls through. The game with Bremen had to be abandoned as they were all shocked following the collapse. 

As Manchester United are set to face Dutch giants Ajax in the Europa League final, we look at top stars that have lined up for both clubs.

1. Jesper Olsen.

The Dane started at Ajax in 1981. His mesmerising skill and pace helped him beat oppositions. He is credited with devising the “passed penalty” with Johan Cruyff. Rather than kick a penalty, Cruyff passed the ball to Olsen. Olsen returned the favour to confuse the goalkeeper before Cruyff buried it. That happened in 1982 in a league match in the Netherlands.

Olsen won two league titles with the club before moving to England to star for the Red Devils. He played from 1984 to 1988 before moving to France.

2. Edwin van der Sar.

The famous goalkeeper is a football legend. He played for almost a decade for the Dutch side starting from 1990. He lifted four Eredivisie title, three Dutch Cups, the UEFA Cup and a Champions League title in 1995. He moved to United in 2005 and replicated such brilliance until his exit in 2011. He lifted four Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Champions League title in 2008. Continue reading “TOP FOOTBALL STARS THAT HAVE PLAYED FOR AJAX AND MAN UNITED” →

South African football outfit Ajax Cape Town have brought in former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van this as one of the club’s new directors.

The Dutchman joins the board and may play a crucial role in the future of the club going forward. He has joined hands with fellow Dutchmanand goalkeeper Stanley Menzo at the club. Ajax Cape Town’s commercial director Alexi Efstathiou has claimed that it is a move that will be of major assistance to the club in order to become world class.

Edwin van Der Sar is best known for representing Juventus and Manchester United, although it is highly likely that many young fans will remember him for the latter. Continue reading “Former United Star Edwin Van Der Sar Joins Ajax Cape Town Board” →