Ajax director of football Marc Overmars resigns after sending “inappropriate messages to female colleagues”

Former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Ajax winger Marc Overmars has resigned from his position as the Director of football for Ajax Football club with immediate effect after admitting that he had sent some inappropriate messages to his female colleagues of the club over an extended period of time. He is leaving the club after talks were held regarding this situation with the club’s board and Chief Executive Edwin Van der Sar. It is a matter of shame for the former player and he has received some reaction from the fans and the footballing world as well.

Overmars commented on the situation via the club’s website and said “I am ashamed. Last week I was confronted with reports about my behaviour and how this has come across to others.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I was crossing the line with this, but that was made clear to me in recent days. I suddenly felt enormous pressure. I apologize. Certainly, for someone in my position, this behaviour is unacceptable. I now see that too. But it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax.

“This also has a major impact on my private situation. That is why I ask everyone to leave me and my family alone.”

This is certainly a piece of shocking news as he was the director of football for a period of 10 long years and had also extended his contract till the 2025/26 season. All of the club was in shock and expressed their views on the situation as well. Leen Meijaard who is the Ajax Supervisory Board Chairman said “This is a dramatic situation for everyone who is involved in any way. It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with the behavior.

“When we heard news of this, we immediately acted, carefully deliberating and weighing what was the best thing to do – all in consultation with CEO Edwin van der Sar and assisted by an external expert.

“Marc is probably the best football director that Ajax has had. We upgraded and extended his contract for a reason. But unfortunately, he has really gone over the line, so continuing as director was not an option, as he recognized himself. It is extremely painful for everyone. I want to express the wish that everyone involved is given the peace and privacy to process this.”

The CEO of Ajax and former Man United player Edvin Van der Sar also shared his views on the resignation of Overmars and said “I find the situation appalling for everyone and I agree with Leen Meijaard’s words.

“In my role, I also feel responsible to help colleagues. A safe sport and working climate is very important. We will pay even more attention to this in the near future.

“Marc and I have been playing together since the early 1990s, first at Ajax and then with the national team and we have been colleagues in the management of Ajax for almost 10 years now. That has now come to a very abrupt end.

“We are working on something very wonderful here at Ajax, so this news will also be a blow to everyone who cares about Ajax.”

It is sad to see a former player of such stature being related to a shameful incident like this one. Overmars was a fan favourite as well wherever he had gone to play and will certainly give a thought about his actions.