Marc Overmars has left his job as director of football affairs at Ajax following the Dutch club stated he sent a “series of inappropriate messages to several female colleagues.”
An Ajax statement stated the former Arsenal and Barcelona winger would quit “with immediate effect.”
He had been in the role since 2012 and had freshly signed a contract extension till June 2026.
Overmars voiced he was ‘ashamed’ and that his behaviour was ‘unacceptable.’
“Last week I was confronted with reports about my behaviour and how this has come across to others,” Overmars notified Ajax’s website.
“Unfortunately I didn’t realise that I was crossing the line with this but that was made clear to me in recent days. I apologise.”
“Certainly for someone in my position this behaviour is unacceptable. I now see that but it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax.”
Overmars made more than 130 features for Ajax between 1992 and 1997 and triumphed three league titles, the Dutch cup and the Champions League prior joining Arsenal in 1997, where he vanquished the double with Arsenal.
He spent 10 years as director of football affairs at Ajax with supervisory board chairman Leen Meijaard expressing Overmars as “the best football director Ajax has had.”
“This is a dramatic situation for everyone involved,” Meijaard appended.
“It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with this behaviour. When we heard the news, we immediately acted.”
“He has really gone over the line and continuing as director was not an option, as he recognised himself. It is extremely painful for everyone.”
