Arsenal legend Marc Overmars leaves Ajax after sending 'inappropriate messages' to female colleagues | Daily Mail Online

Marc Overmars has left his role at Ajax after sending a series of 'inappropriate messages' to female colleagues, with CEO Edwin van der Sar admitting the situation is 'appalling for everyone.' 

Director of football affairs Overmars has stood down after discussions with Van der Sar and the supervisory board following reports of alleged misconduct, with the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper reportedly stepping in temporarily as sporting director. 

Meanwhile, Dutch publication De Telegraafreports that the Dutch giants are working on an 'emergency situation', as the future of manager Erik ten Hag remains shrouded in doubt and Overmars' departure will not have aided Ajax's cause to keep him.  

Marc Overmars has left Ajax after sending 'inappropriate messages' to female colleagues

Overmars left after meeting with Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar and the supervisory board

The report details that Ten Hag - whose contract runs until 2023 - signed his latest deal alongside Overmars and the ex-Arsenal winger's departure will 'strengthen Ten Hag in his belief that it is time for the next step.' 

Ten Hag, 52, has been heavily linked with the top job at Manchester United in the summer, when interim manager Ralf Rangnick is set to move upstairs.  

A statement on Ajax's official website said: 'Director of football affairs Marc Overmars will leave Ajax with immediate effect.

'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' departure will 'strengthen Erik Ten Hag in his belief that it is time for the next step'

Ten Hag, 52, has been heavily linked with the top job at Manchester United in the summer

Former Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Overmars, who had been in his post since the summer of 2012, admitted his behaviour had been 'unacceptable' and issued an apology.

The 48-year-old said: 'I am ashamed. Last week I was confronted with reports about my behaviour and how this has come across to others.

'Unfortunately, I didn't realise that I was crossing the line with this, but that was made clear to me in recent days. I suddenly felt enormous pressure.

'I apologise. Certainly for someone in my position, this behaviour is unacceptable. I now see that too.

Overmars apologised for the inappropriate messages he sent to female colleagues

'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.'

Supervisory board chairman Leen Meijaard said Overmars' behaviour had been 'devastating' for the women involved, and admitted there was little option but for 'probably the best football director that Ajax has had' to leave.

Former Holland team-mate Van der Sar added: 'I find the situation appalling for everyone and I agree with Leen Meijaard's words.

Ex-Dutch team-mate Van der Sar said the situation with Overmars was '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.

'Marc and I have been playing together since the early 1990s, first at Ajax and then with the national team, and we have been colleagues in the management of Ajax for almost 10 years now.

'That has now come to a very abrupt end. We are working on something very wonderful here at Ajax, so this news will also be a blow to everyone who cares about Ajax.'

 Overmars spent three years at Arsenal and won the Premier League title in the 1997-98 season