1 spr
TONIGHT'S OPPONENTS HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO FIELD SOME
TRUE GREATS DOWN THE YEARS, LIAM CARSON SOMEHOW
NARROWS IT DOWN TO JUST SIX OF THE BEST.
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GREHT5
Appearances - B12
Goals -1
Four Eredivisie titles-1993/94,1994/95,
1995/96,1997/98
Three-time KNVB Cup winner -1992/93,
1997/98,1998/99
UEFA Champions League winner -
1994/95
UEFA Cup winner: 1991/92
UEFA Super Cup: 1995
A bastion between the sticks, Edwin van der
Sar made his now world-renowned name
at Ajax during a very successful nine-year
spell in Amsterdam. Arriving at the age of 20
and having never trained as a professional
goalkeeper, he was given his debut for them
towards the end of the 1990/91 season and
in the nine games the novice was afforded,
he made a huge impression. Initially, his
performances were not enough to take the
gloves off first-choice Stanley Menzo but
the keeper had patience and bided his time.
At the start of the 1992/93, Van der Sar
would get his big chance and this time, he would
not relinquish his hold on the number one shirt.
With his tall frame, his bravery and intelligence
on the ball, he was able to fit in to the Ajax
model of a'sweeper keeper', becominganllth
outfield componentforthe Dutch giants. Over
the next six seasons, he would help his side to
win every piece of silverware in their path as
they conquered notjustthe Netherlands but
the continent as well.
That European glory came in 1995 as Ajax
toppled Italian giants Milan in the UEFA
Champions League Final with the keeper
producing a superb performance to secure a
clean sheet in the 1-0 win. He left for Juventus
inl999 and, aftertwo years inTurin before four
years inLondon with Fulham, Van derSarjoined
Manchester United where he would once again
lift the Champions League and collectIO other
major honours. After retiring he returned to
Ajax where, to this day, he continues his role
as the club's chief executive.
Appearances - 434
Goals - 44
Five Eredivisie titles -1989/90,1993/94,
1994/95,1995/96,1997/98
Two-time KNVB Cup winner - 1992/93,
1997/98
UEFA Champions League winner -
1994/95
UEFA Cup winner -1991-92
UEFA Super Cup winner -1995
As manager (2010-16)
Four Eredivisie titles - 2010/11,2011/12,
2012/13,2013/14
Frank de Boer developed his trade in theyouth
academy at the Amsterdam outfit before
playing for the first team for over a decade
in what was regarded as the club's golden
generation. In the modem game, ball playing
centre-backs are allthe rage but in the1990s,
De Boer and his colleagues in the Ajax backline
were amongthefirstto demonstrate this style
of defending.
Through the revolutionary ideas of Johan
Cruyff, the Ajax academy would develop
defenders to not only have the strength and
necessary aggression to combat attackers but
also have the composure and grace on the ball
that attacking midfielders were expected to
display. It led defenders like De Boerto become
comfortable across the entire backline, in the
sweeper position and into midfield, but this
versatility was even more relevantfor De Boer
as he also had an eye for goal. Aftergraduating
fromtheyouth ranks, the defenderflourished
for Ajax and also for his nation - eventually
picking up 112 caps for the Netherlands.
He would lift the Eredivisie title five times
with Ajax and also won the Champions League
in 1995 before having spells at Barcelona,
Gatatasaray and Rangers. For much of his
career he played in the same teams as his twin
brother Ronald, who played as a forward for
both club and country. After hanging up his
boots, Frank took up coaching and returned
to Ajax in 2010 where in just six seasons
he added another four Eredivisie titles to
his collection and is credited with the early
developments of such players as Christian
Eriksen.JanVertonghenandTobyAlderweireld.
He is now currently in charge at MLS side
Atlanta United.
