Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage in 2023 and has now opened up on the symptoms he suffered

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has opened up on the symptoms of his brain haemorrhage and how it has impacted his life. The former goalkeeper experienced the health scare in 2023 – the same year he left his role as director at Ajax.

The 55-year-old initially joined United from Fulham in 2005 and went on to feature in over 250 matches for the Reds, securing four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.

Following his retirement from the professional game in 2011, shortly before his 41st birthday, he subsequently took up a director role at his former club Ajax.

Van der Sar experienced a brain haemorrhage whilst on holiday in July 2023, merely a couple of months following his resignation from Ajax.

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The former shot-stopper received treatment in intensive care and remained hospitalised for a fortnight before recovering, reports the Mirror.

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Van der Sar has now shared insights into the day he initially experienced symptoms and explained how stepping back from football has benefited his health.

Speaking on The Overlap alongside Gary Neville, Van der Sar said: “I’m OK now. I had it three years ago. I had a great holiday – a sailing trip in Croatia. On the last day, in the hotel, I got up to go to the toilet and felt dizzy, and I felt my neck.

“I went back into the room and said, ‘Close the curtains’, and I sat on the bed not feeling well. My wife called the doctor, and I was told I had a brain haemorrhage.

“One of the things that helped was that I had just quit my job at Ajax as a director. Five weeks before that I had resigned. It was a big step for me, but I felt I had brought Ajax to a point where maybe I couldn’t bring any more to the club than I already did.

“I was surprised because I had a great holiday, we were all relaxed, and then something like that happens to you. We went to the hospital, I was in intensive care, and I was there for three weeks.

“Then you have the recovery process and rehabilitation, and you know as a player you also want the best people around you and a programme fitted for you. I had no pressure about going back into a job – no phone calls, no emails, no decision-making – so that helped a lot to recover to the level that I am now.”

Despite experiencing a serious health scare, Van der Sar has revealed that neither he nor his wife, Annemarie, have altered their outlook on life, with the United legend savouring his break from football.

Van der Sar explained: “No, I’m not that type of guy. What was nice for me was that I wanted to have a rest, take a year out of football, go to some other clubs and learn some new things.

“Now it’s almost three years ago, so I’ve had time to recover with no stress, no phone in my hand – just doing the stuff that I’ve wanted to do.

“Wake up when you want, walk the dog, go swim in the sea, go on holiday. I went to New Zealand for two months with Annemarie – nice things that I never had the chance to do before.

“I started playing at 18 or 19, finished at 40, and at 41 I became one of the directors at Ajax until 53, so I thought it was the right time to take a step back. That’s taken a little bit longer than I originally thought, to be fair, but we are enjoying ourselves very much.”

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