He made this decision after discussions in recent days with the Supervisory Board and CEO Edwin van der Sar and communicated his intentions to them. A series of inappropriate messages sent to several female colleagues over an extended period of time underlies his decision to leave the club.

Overmars: "I am ashamed. Last week I was confronted with reports about my behavior. 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 behavior 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."

Marc Overmars (born 1973) has been the Director of Football Affairs at Ajax since the summer of 2012. Since 1 February 2013, the former star footballer who played at Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona, ​​among others, has held this position as a statutory director. He was recently reappointed for a new term, until June 30, 2026.

Overmars was accused my some female footballers for sending them inappropriate messages asking for sex.