Marc Overmars: Ajax director of football leaves club after 'inappropriate messages to female colleagues'

Marc Overmars has left Ajax with immediate effect after he sent a “series of inappropriate messages to several female colleagues”.

On Sunday night, the Dutch club put out an official statement that said the director of football will leave the club after talks with the board and chief executive Edwin van der Sar.

The statement says that the former Arsenal winger sent “cross-border messages to several female colleagues over a long period of time”.

Overmars, who had held the role for nearly 10 years was recently given a contract extension until the end of the 2025/26 season, apologised for his behaviour in the statement.

“I am ashamed,” he said. “Last week I was confronted with reports about my behavior and how this has come across to others. Unfortunately, I did not realise that I had crossed boundaries with this, but that became clear to me these days. I suddenly felt an enormous pressure.

“I offer my apologies. Especially for someone in my position, this behaviour cannot be justified, I now see that too. But too late. I see no other option than to stop at Ajax. This also has a major impact on my private situation. That’s why I ask everyone to leave me and my family alone.”

Supervisory Board chairman Leen Meijaard: “This is a dramatic situation for everyone who is involved in this in any way. It is drastic for the women who had to deal with the behaviour. When we heard noises about this, we immediately acted, carefully It was carefully considered and weighed up what was the best thing to do, all in consultation with general manager Edwin van der Sar and assisted by an external expert.”

“Marc is probably the best football director that Ajax has had. We have not upgraded and extended his contract for nothing. But