Ajax have announced that Marc Overmars has left his post as director of football after the Dutchman was revealed to have sent "cross-border" messages to female colleagues.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona attacker worked as a technical coach for Ajax's Under-19 and Under-21 sides before moving into his director role in the summer of 2012.
Overmars earned plenty of plaudits in the job and was linked with a return to Arsenal or switch to Manchester United, but the 48-year-old has now left his post with immediate effect in the wake of the news.
"I am ashamed. Last week I was confronted with reports about my behaviour and how this has come across to others," Overmars said in a statement on ajax.nl. Unfortunately, I did not realize 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 added: "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. 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."
Overmars was contracted to Ajax until the summer of 2026 and made 190 appearances for the Dutch giants in his playing career, scoring 44 goals and setting up 41 more.
Ben Knapton
