Marc Overmars ‘ashamed’ after controversial Ajax exit

The Dutch club’s director of football abruptly quit his job after sending a series of inappropriate messages to female colleagues.

Marc Overmars has said he is ‘ashamed’ about his behavior upon vacating his role as director of football at Ajax.

The former winger, who played for Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Netherlands in his career, sent inappropriate messages to ‘several’ female colleagues over an extended period of time.

The club confronted him over his behavior last week, leading him to vacate his role after a decade of service.

Ajax Director of Football Affairs Marc Overmars has left the job tonight after "a series of inappropriate messages sent to several female colleagues over an extended period of time"

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 6, 2022

“I am ashamed,” Overmars said in a statement on Sunday evening.

“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 behavior is unacceptable. I now see that too. But it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax.”

Ajax’s supervisory board chairman, Leen Meijaard, said: “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.”

Former goalkeeper Van der Sar, who played alongside Overmars at Ajax and the Netherlands national team, added: “I find the situation appalling for everyone.

“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.”