The Manchester United legend reveals the exact moment he knew something was wrong and how quitting his Ajax role may have saved his life.
The Silent Warning: “I Felt Dizzy and My Neck Ached”
Manchester United icon Edwin van der Sar has shared a harrowing account of the day he suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2023. Speaking on The Overlap with former teammate Gary Neville, the 55-year-old Dutchman detailed the sudden onset of symptoms that changed his life during a holiday in Croatia.
“I got up to go to the toilet and felt dizzy, and I felt my neck,” Van der Sar recalled. “I told my wife to close the curtains; I just didn’t feel well.”
His wife, Annemarie who herself suffered a similar health scare in 2009 acted quickly, calling for medical assistance. The former goalkeeper was rushed to intensive care, where he spent three weeks battling the condition.
Life After the Scare: Why Quitting Ajax Was Vital
Van der Sar believes his decision to step down as Ajax Director just five weeks prior to the incident played a crucial role in his recovery. The high-pressure environment of football management often leaves little room for physical or mental recuperation.
“I had no pressure about going back into a job no phone calls, no emails, no decision-making. That helped a lot to recover to the level that I am at now,” he explained.
After over a decade in the boardroom at Amsterdam, the four-time Premier League winner felt he had given everything to the club. The timing of his resignation allowed him to focus entirely on his rehabilitation without the stress of “day-to-day” club operations.
New Horizons: A Two-Month Escape to New Zealand
Nearly three years on from the incident, the Champions League winner is embracing a slower pace of life. Far from the bright lights of Old Trafford, Van der Sar and Annemarie recently spent two months exploring New Zealand, enjoying the freedom that a professional football career rarely permits.
“Wake up when you want, walk the dog, go swim in the sea,” Van der Sar said of his new routine. While his return to football remains a topic of speculation, the legendary shot-stopper is currently prioritizing health and family over a return to the dugout or the boardroom.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
