Edwin van der Sar
Christened the ice rabbit, Edwin van der Sar is one of Holland's most loved football men. Undoubtedly one of the greatest keepers ever to have played the game and he is also one of the most important
Edwin van der Sar was born in rural Voorhout, in the Province of South Holland so called the"Dune and Bulb Region". Van der Sar began his career at his local side which was at that time called VV Noordwijk. He was spotted fairly late on. Scouts brought him to the attention of then, Ajax manager Louis van Gaal. Ajax, are infamous for their philosophy, ethos and being one of footballs best factories for producing talent. The van Gaal era was a great time to be playing for the prestigious club. In this period they produced a golden generation of players, a formidable team that developed and experienced an extremely successful period. Such names as Kluivert, Davids, Overmars, de Boer's and Litmanen were all part of these 90's Ajax sides. Van der Sar was 19 when he made his move to the Amsterdam based club. His personal qualities in terms of technique were already there and is what attracted the club to him. Ajax successfully moulded him to fit in and be part of their total footballing philosophy. Revolutionary advances by the club, which ultimately changed the role of the goalkeeper, redefining the position.
He made his Ajax debut in 1990 and in the following seasons gained further appearances. In 1992/93 he made an impressive 25 appearances for the club. He took over from, Stanley Menzo becoming Ajax first choice keeper from the 1993/94 season onwards. From there he never looked back and was a mainstay in the team. An ever present, he played a very important role. He went on to make 226 appearances for Ajax. Won Four Dutch league titles in a row, countless domestic cups, one each of- Champions League, UEFA Cup, Cup Winners Cup, a Super and an Intercontinental Cup. The success was all the more special as it was his friends whom he experienced it with. It was a great environment to be a footballer. Individual honours reinforced how highly he was rated. He was named Dutch keeper of the year for every full season (1994/95) he guarded the nets for Ajax. Van der Sar enjoyed a 9 year playing career for Ajax, amassing many honours. From Ajax he went onto Italian giants Juventus. It was a tricky period for him and it did not work out as he had hoped. When Juventus opted to bring in the now legendary Gianluigi Buffon for a record breaking fee, it was time for van der Sar to leave. His next destination was Premier League side Fulham. A then on the up team, he was attracted as they were side going places. Investment had come in. Unfortunately for Fulham, their project did not work out as envisaged. His spell at Fulham was successful, vital for him to regain confidence and also to bring him to the attention of Manchester United once again. Could say that Fulham was a bit of a stepping stone. Sir Alex Ferguson brought the Dutchman to United for an undisclosed fee, which is rumoured to be around the £2-4 million mark. A match well made, equally successful and important for player and the club alike. It is there that he seen the glory days of club football return, along with his status.
He is the Dutch National teams most capped player. Unfortunately Van der Sar did not win any silverware for his country, they came very close on occasions. He enjoyed a long career as a mainstay in the Dutch national team and played in some great sides and with some of the games most talented players. In Euro 2008 he captained his side, the Dutch succeeded in reaching the quarter finals in which they were knocked out by Russia. Van der Sar himself, had a very good tournament and his performances were of a standard high enough to see him named in the team of the tournament. These Euro's were believed to be his farewell from the international scene. However, he came back during the World Cup 2010 qualifiers after the Dutch national side experienced a goalkeeping crisis. He played in two games and both these were won. In the process, he earned his 130th cap for his country. Overall his international career was strong and he provided a consistent and high quality keeper for the quite often turmoiled and troubled side. He has been criticised for a weakness in penalty shoot-outs. Evident, as penalties were how the Dutch exited three international tournaments. The biggest disappointment of his international career was undoubtedly when the Netherlands failed to qualify out of their group, for the World Cup in 2002. He, himself has said he regrets that he did not have such a decisive moment for his country as he did for Manchester United. By that he means making that crucial save, the one for Manchester United of course being vs Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2008.
Disappointments in his career are relatively few. A great deal of his career disappointments were experienced playing for his country and this is perhaps where he will be left with some regret now his career is finished. Those attributed to his international career were largely discussed above. Focusing on his club career, it was that period at Juventus that really unsettled him and caused him to temporarily lose his confidence. It sounded a very difficult spell for him. The problem being his abilities and goalkeeping style were not appreciated, it just never fitted in or suited the Italian clubs style. It must have been quite alien for him to go from what had been drilled in to him at Ajax regarding the goalkeepers role and his necessity to be good with the ball at his feet- to distribute. At Juventus they didn't build up play from the back and defenders were uncomfortable receiving the ball from the keeper. For both parties it was just never going to work out. In terms of disappointments at Manchester United, could say that there is a degree of regret regarding the Champions League. Perhaps feel that another could have been won. Unfortunately for United in their way was one of the most talented and the best club side amassed in the past decade of football- some would be tempted to say ever, given Barca's revolution and achievements. For Ajax and Manchester United he played in 5 Champions League finals, which in itself is a record- he won 2 out of 5. United never did get close to Barcelona in 2009 or 2011, therefore it is the one lost for Ajax on penalties likely to have had the lasting regret. With regards to United, he may have felt that they could have reached more finals. They got quite close on occassions and did have some bad luck in a couple of the seasons.
Personally, I got to see an awful lot of Van der Sar for Manchester United and also in internationals. He was the saviour that came in after many years and failings to secure the right one. He is the perfect keeper for Manchester United and throughout his time there was the ultimate professional. It was a joy to watch him. He had such a calm and reassuring presence that dispelled throughout the team and when watching you always felt the team was in safe hands. In his years at United, from 2006/07 onwards he was part of a very special and incredible defence. The combination of Vidic and Ferdinand at centre back and Patrice Evra at left back was truly impenetrable at times. Van der Sar played a crucial role and as they had played a number of years together, he formed a great understanding with the defenders in front of him. Was most impressed by his abilities to organise and communicate with his defence. He expertly controlled the penalty area, his philosophy being prevention. His reflexes and reach meant he made some fantastic jaw dropping saves too. His concentration another asset. Vital, it is common for the team to have so much of the ball and the keeper be out of action for most of the game. But they must be ready if a chance does come and as a counter attacking side it is that ball played over the top that needs to watched out for. In his last season he looked like he could go on and on. Even at the very end the quality was still there. It has been said by many people and van der Sar too- if only Manchester United had signed him sooner! In a previous passage, I mentioned "bring to United's attention again"- it turns out that United had hoped to sign him in 1999 to replace Peter Schmeichel. Unfortunately Juventus got in there first. Favourite ever keeper, what a man- a true gent and what a career he's had.
Edwin van der Sar was born in rural Voorhout, in the Province of South Holland so called the"Dune and Bulb Region". Van der Sar began his career at his local side which was at that time called VV Noordwijk. He was spotted fairly late on. Scouts brought him to the attention of then, Ajax manager Louis van Gaal. Ajax, are infamous for their philosophy, ethos and being one of footballs best factories for producing talent. The van Gaal era was a great time to be playing for the prestigious club. In this period they produced a golden generation of players, a formidable team that developed and experienced an extremely successful period. Such names as Kluivert, Davids, Overmars, de Boer's and Litmanen were all part of these 90's Ajax sides. Van der Sar was 19 when he made his move to the Amsterdam based club. His personal qualities in terms of technique were already there and is what attracted the club to him. Ajax successfully moulded him to fit in and be part of their total footballing philosophy. Revolutionary advances by the club, which ultimately changed the role of the goalkeeper, redefining the position.
He made his Ajax debut in 1990 and in the following seasons gained further appearances. In 1992/93 he made an impressive 25 appearances for the club. He took over from, Stanley Menzo becoming Ajax first choice keeper from the 1993/94 season onwards. From there he never looked back and was a mainstay in the team. An ever present, he played a very important role. He went on to make 226 appearances for Ajax. Won Four Dutch league titles in a row, countless domestic cups, one each of- Champions League, UEFA Cup, Cup Winners Cup, a Super and an Intercontinental Cup. The success was all the more special as it was his friends whom he experienced it with. It was a great environment to be a footballer. Individual honours reinforced how highly he was rated. He was named Dutch keeper of the year for every full season (1994/95) he guarded the nets for Ajax. Van der Sar enjoyed a 9 year playing career for Ajax, amassing many honours. From Ajax he went onto Italian giants Juventus. It was a tricky period for him and it did not work out as he had hoped. When Juventus opted to bring in the now legendary Gianluigi Buffon for a record breaking fee, it was time for van der Sar to leave. His next destination was Premier League side Fulham. A then on the up team, he was attracted as they were side going places. Investment had come in. Unfortunately for Fulham, their project did not work out as envisaged. His spell at Fulham was successful, vital for him to regain confidence and also to bring him to the attention of Manchester United once again. Could say that Fulham was a bit of a stepping stone. Sir Alex Ferguson brought the Dutchman to United for an undisclosed fee, which is rumoured to be around the £2-4 million mark. A match well made, equally successful and important for player and the club alike. It is there that he seen the glory days of club football return, along with his status.
He is the Dutch National teams most capped player. Unfortunately Van der Sar did not win any silverware for his country, they came very close on occasions. He enjoyed a long career as a mainstay in the Dutch national team and played in some great sides and with some of the games most talented players. In Euro 2008 he captained his side, the Dutch succeeded in reaching the quarter finals in which they were knocked out by Russia. Van der Sar himself, had a very good tournament and his performances were of a standard high enough to see him named in the team of the tournament. These Euro's were believed to be his farewell from the international scene. However, he came back during the World Cup 2010 qualifiers after the Dutch national side experienced a goalkeeping crisis. He played in two games and both these were won. In the process, he earned his 130th cap for his country. Overall his international career was strong and he provided a consistent and high quality keeper for the quite often turmoiled and troubled side. He has been criticised for a weakness in penalty shoot-outs. Evident, as penalties were how the Dutch exited three international tournaments. The biggest disappointment of his international career was undoubtedly when the Netherlands failed to qualify out of their group, for the World Cup in 2002. He, himself has said he regrets that he did not have such a decisive moment for his country as he did for Manchester United. By that he means making that crucial save, the one for Manchester United of course being vs Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2008.
Disappointments in his career are relatively few. A great deal of his career disappointments were experienced playing for his country and this is perhaps where he will be left with some regret now his career is finished. Those attributed to his international career were largely discussed above. Focusing on his club career, it was that period at Juventus that really unsettled him and caused him to temporarily lose his confidence. It sounded a very difficult spell for him. The problem being his abilities and goalkeeping style were not appreciated, it just never fitted in or suited the Italian clubs style. It must have been quite alien for him to go from what had been drilled in to him at Ajax regarding the goalkeepers role and his necessity to be good with the ball at his feet- to distribute. At Juventus they didn't build up play from the back and defenders were uncomfortable receiving the ball from the keeper. For both parties it was just never going to work out. In terms of disappointments at Manchester United, could say that there is a degree of regret regarding the Champions League. Perhaps feel that another could have been won. Unfortunately for United in their way was one of the most talented and the best club side amassed in the past decade of football- some would be tempted to say ever, given Barca's revolution and achievements. For Ajax and Manchester United he played in 5 Champions League finals, which in itself is a record- he won 2 out of 5. United never did get close to Barcelona in 2009 or 2011, therefore it is the one lost for Ajax on penalties likely to have had the lasting regret. With regards to United, he may have felt that they could have reached more finals. They got quite close on occassions and did have some bad luck in a couple of the seasons.
Personally, I got to see an awful lot of Van der Sar for Manchester United and also in internationals. He was the saviour that came in after many years and failings to secure the right one. He is the perfect keeper for Manchester United and throughout his time there was the ultimate professional. It was a joy to watch him. He had such a calm and reassuring presence that dispelled throughout the team and when watching you always felt the team was in safe hands. In his years at United, from 2006/07 onwards he was part of a very special and incredible defence. The combination of Vidic and Ferdinand at centre back and Patrice Evra at left back was truly impenetrable at times. Van der Sar played a crucial role and as they had played a number of years together, he formed a great understanding with the defenders in front of him. Was most impressed by his abilities to organise and communicate with his defence. He expertly controlled the penalty area, his philosophy being prevention. His reflexes and reach meant he made some fantastic jaw dropping saves too. His concentration another asset. Vital, it is common for the team to have so much of the ball and the keeper be out of action for most of the game. But they must be ready if a chance does come and as a counter attacking side it is that ball played over the top that needs to watched out for. In his last season he looked like he could go on and on. Even at the very end the quality was still there. It has been said by many people and van der Sar too- if only Manchester United had signed him sooner! In a previous passage, I mentioned "bring to United's attention again"- it turns out that United had hoped to sign him in 1999 to replace Peter Schmeichel. Unfortunately Juventus got in there first. Favourite ever keeper, what a man- a true gent and what a career he's had.
Back home in his native Holland, van Der Sar has recently been named Sporting Director of his former club Ajax. He is said to have an interest in later becoming a goalkeeping coach. He keeps himself busy and fit by participating in marathons. A keen runner, he completed the New York Marathon in 2011. He has done some punditry work for television station: "Netherlands Broadcasting Foundation". He is still in correspondence with playing and staff members at Manchester United, regularly uses their facilities for training purposes and he attended the unveiling of the Sir Alex Ferguson statue in November 2012.
Quotes- What Players/Coaches Have to Say
"He’s changed my thinking when it comes to goalkeepers,” said the centre-back. “If I ever become a manager, I’ll be looking for my goalkeeper to exhibit as many of Edwin’s traits as possible."---- Rio Ferdinand
"If I had any say in this he would have came in straight after I left. I thought he was the obvious choice. He's got the size, he's got the game that suits Manchester United's way of playing. His technique with his feet is incredible, his distribution is incredible. I think those assets are more valuable than a shot stopper." ---- Peter Schmeichel
"A great keeper and the first to be really great with both feet. Coming out of the box he is always very decisive.". ---- Jaap Stam
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