Ajax has fired Marc Overmars, the director of football, “with immediate effect” following a series of conversations with Edwin van der Sar, the CEO of the club. “A series of inappropriate messages sent to various female colleagues over an extended period of time underlying her decision to leave the club,” Ajax said.
“I am ashamed. Last week I was faced with reports regarding my behaviour,” admitted the former sports director of the Dutch team in the official statement issued by the club announcing his dismissal.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t realize I was crossing the line with this. I suddenly felt enormous pressure. I apologize.”
Overmars, former Ajax sporting director
“Unfortunately, I didn’t realize I was crossing the line with this, but that became clear to me in the last few days. I suddenly felt enormous pressure. I apologize. Certainly for someone in my position, this behavior is unacceptable.” has confessed Overmars.
Director of Football Affairs Marc Overmars will leave Ajax with immediate effect. He made this decision following discussions in recent days with the Supervisory Board and CEO Edwin van der Sar and communicated his intentions to them.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 6, 2022
“Now I see it too. But it’s too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax. A big impact on my private situation. That’s why I ask everyone to leave me and my family alone.” claimed the former player of Ajax, Barça and Arsenal, who served as sports director of the Dutch club since 2013. He had recently renewed until 2026. But Ajax has dismissed him in a sudden way.
“This is a dramatic situation for everyone who is involved in any way. It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with this behavior,” he said. Leen Meijaard, Chairman of the Ajax Supervisory Board.
“He really crossed the line, so continuing as a director was not an option, as he himself admitted”
Leen Meijaard, President of Ajax
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“Marc is probably the best director of football Ajax has ever had. We upgraded and extended his contract for a reason. He really went overboard, so continuing as director was not an option, as he himself admitted. It is extremely painful. for everyone. I want to express the wish that everyone involved has the peace and privacy to process this”, underlined the head of the Dutch club.
“The situation seems terrible to me for everyone and I agree with Leen Meijaard’s words. In my role, I also feel responsible for helping colleagues. A safe sporting and working environment is very important,” he said. Van Der Sar, the CEO of the club.
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