As a player, youth coach and sporting director since 2012, Marc Overmars has played a key role in shaping the successful history of Ajax Amsterdam. Now the commitment of the former offensive star ended with a bang.
Marc Overmars will resign his post and leave Ajax Amsterdam with immediate effect. The men from the Dutch capital reported this on Sunday.
Overmars has sent some of the club’s female employees “a series of inappropriate messages over a period of time,” one explained Club statement.
“It is a dramatic situation in every way for everyone involved,” said Leen Meijaard, a member of the supervisory board. “It’s devastating for the women who have had to deal with this behavior. So when we heard about it, we acted immediately and, with the help of an outside expert, evaluated what was best.”
Overmars may be the best sporting director Ajax has ever had, but unfortunately he “really pushed the envelope so staying on is not an option,” it said. Overmars saw that too.
“Be a hit for everyone who cares about Ajax”
A statement that Overmars himself underpins in the message: “I’m ashamed. Last week I was confronted with reports about my behavior and how it was received by others. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I was crossing a line with it, but it was made it clear to me,” said the 48-year-old. And further: “I apologize for my behavior, which is unacceptable, especially for someone in my position. I see that now too. But it’s too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax.”
Overmars’ former teammate and current Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar stressed that the situation was “appalling”. In the future, more attention will be paid to ensure that something like this does not happen again. “We are working on something very wonderful here at Ajax, so this news will also come as a blow to everyone who cares about Ajax.”
The ex-national player’s contract would not have expired until the end of June 2026.