Twice in discussions with Marc Overmars, Ajax tried to bring the former technical director back to Amsterdam. This is evident from a conversation that NOS Sports had with Overmars.
The first time was within four weeks after his forced departure due to inappropriate behavior. Overmars says that he was approached in February 2022 by the then chairman of the Ajax Supervisory Board, Leen Meijaard. According to Meijaard, a return was discussed at the time, but there was no concrete proposal to Overmars. Overmars, now technical director at Antwerp FC, says that he was asked for a comeback and that he did not propose it himself.
Second try
Later Danny Blind attempted to retrieve him. That was before his official appointment as commissioner of Ajax on December 27, 2023. Blindly sounded out Overmars as successor to Sven Mislintat.
At the time, Overmars was awaiting a ruling in the disciplinary case initiated by Ajax. Blind was aware of this, but the sporting crisis at Ajax was reason to sound out Overmars. In his view, the Overmars option was really one that needed to be explored, “even though there is only a 1 percent chance that it will succeed,” NOS writes. The broadcaster not only spoke to Overmars, but also had conversations with other involved (former) directors of Ajax and had access to administrative messages.
Overmars says ‘no’ to a possible return. “I think if I had pushed through and said I was open to it, things would have been set in motion. But I want to stay at Antwerp FC. I really enjoy it here,” said Overmars.
As far as Michael van Praag is concerned, a return of Overmars to Ajax is “not negotiable”. The chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ajax said this in an interview with NOS. “Danny Blind did that in a personal capacity. He was not appointed to the Supervisory Board and therefore never did so on behalf of Ajax.”