Man Utd legend Edwin van der Sar suffers brain bleed weeks after leaving ‘tough’ Ajax CEO role

Manchester United and Premier League legend Edwin van der Sar has been admitted into intensive care after suffering a bleeding around the brain.

The 52-year-old is in a stable condition having been air lifted to a hospital in Croatia on Friday afternoon.

The former goalkeeper most recently worked as the CEO of Dutch club Ajax, a post he quit this summer after the toll the post had taken on his mental health. The club wrote on Twitter: "On Friday, Edwin van der Sar has had a bleeding around his brain. He’s currently in hospital in the intensive care unit and is in a stable condition.

"Once there is more concrete information, an update will follow. Everyone at Ajax wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of you."

Van der Sar had been holidaying with family in Croatia when the medical emergency happened and is being closely monitored by medics in the hospital.

The star played 266 times for Manchester United between 2005 and 2011, winning four Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League. The Dutchman is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers to play in the Premier League.

Earlier this year, Van der Sar spoke to The High Performance Podcast about his time at Ajax over the past 12 months just days before leaving his role at the club.

The Dutch club struggled after manager Erik ten Hag left for the Red Devils last summer, sacking successor Alfred Schreuder and failing to qualify for next season's Champions League with a third-place Eredivisie finish.

In an official statement confirming his departure, Van der Sar hinted at emotional struggles as 'an incredibly tough period' left him needing to 'get some distance and some rest'.

He had previously told The High Performance Podcast: "It's tough. Absolutely. It's really tough.

"That's the name of the game, performances make or break people. That applies for players, coaches and a CEO. I'm not used to anything else.

"The toughest thing is the doubts that people have in your ability. I have been doing this for 11 years, I'm not a novice. I think the organisation is strong, it has been stronger in the past.

"You have to every time think if your own qualities are enough for the organisation you're working. How much effort did you put into it? How much effort are you still willing to put into it? Is the connection still there with your staff and players? That's a constant situation.

"The way media or people are reacting to defeats or bad signings, commercial partners, everyone likes to think something. Sometimes people are talking loud on TV or putting anonymous stuff on the internet and that's not nice. You can put it out in the world and it's gone for you. You get attention for different or crazy opinions."