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The High Performance Podcast

E197 - Edwin Van Der Sar: "It’s f***ing hard" - his final interview as Ajax CEO

The High Performance Podcast

High Performance

Sports, Self-improvement, Mindset, Growth Mindset, Health & Fitness, Non-negotiables, Education, Life Lessons, High Performance

4.84.7K Ratings

🗓️ 11 June 2023

⏱️ 61 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this interview, we welcome Edwin Van De Sar. The man who went from player to CEO, who won four Eredivisie titles, four Premier League Crowns and the Champions League, among many other accolades in his career.


We recorded this in a hotel room overlooking the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, the home of Ajax Football Club. Edwin, at the time of recording, was the Chief Executive of the football club. He walked into the room and I said to him, “how are things?” The reply was a one word swear word. Immediately it was clear to us that pressure was taking its toll on this guy. We then spoke at length about the truth of what life's like at the top of a football club.


We talk about the scrutiny, we talk about the criticism, the questions, the pain and the impact on his family. Of course, we also talk about his playing days. What he learned at Manchester United, what it was like in that great Ajax team. Some of the challenges he faced as a Holland International and the great players he's played with.


A couple of days after the conversation, it was announced that Edwin had decided to quit as the CEO Ajax. So this now lives as the final interview that he gave as the CEO.


I think that we will now listen to it with fresh ears, with an even deeper understanding of the challenges that he was under.


Enjoy!


Love, Jake



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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hi there, I'm Jay Cumpfrey and this is the award-winning high-performance podcast.

0:07.0

Look, we are not here to tell you how to think or act.

0:10.0

We simply reveal the truth behind the lives of some of the most fascinating people on

0:13.8

the planet so they can be your guide, prepared to be inspired, but also challenged.

0:19.0

Don't expect to agree with everything you hear, but do hold your beliefs lightly.

0:26.0

Come to this conversation, open to growth and change, and let's just explore together.

0:31.0

Once more, it's time for myself and Professor Damien Hughes to unlock the minds of another guest.

0:38.0

Today, this awaits you.

0:41.0

Football or sports are also game of luck, of course, inside post, outside post, on the bar.

0:46.0

Apparently given, yes or no, red card, yes or no.

0:50.0

These little things can be the fate of a manager, the fate of a player, or the fate of a director,

0:56.0

if they're success or if they're failure.

1:00.0

And at the other end of the spectrum is Cristiano Ronaldo, who like you, has gone on to have a career of true longevity.

1:08.0

What are your memories of sharing a dressing room in a club with him?

1:11.0

The dressing room that he shared with me, of course, it's always been about him.

1:16.0

And this determination and the way that he conducted himself.

1:21.0

I think a lot of people have, let's say, maybe called a different opinion about him,

1:26.0

but I found him really in a dressing room funny, the way that he took another step for me and I had it, it's been amazing.

1:35.0

It's shit, things are happening, you need to fire someone, things are not going well.

1:40.0

There's a crisis, there's something opening, or European level, or it's something with a new media deal.

1:47.0

And at certain points, it's not a drag, it's fucking hard.

1:52.0

What a pleasure it was to speak to this person.

...

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