Disgraced former Arsenal star Marc Overmars has insisted he won’t return to outdated facet Ajax as technical director, three years after his inappropriate messages scandal.
The Dutch giants have endured a dreadful begin to the season, sacking new boss John Heitinga after 15 matches, with technical director Alex Kroes additionally departing.
Overmars had been linked with a return regardless of leaving the membership below a cloud. He was suspended from soccer actions within the Netherlands for one 12 months again in November, 2023.
The Arsenal legend, had been director of soccer on the Dutch facet, earlier than he left the membership in February 2022 following the inappropriate messages which came about over an prolonged time period and have been despatched to a number of feminine colleagues.
In addition to sending inappropriate messages to feminine colleagues, Overmars additionally despatched footage of his genitals.
Overmars helped orchestrate a interval of sustained success at Ajax, has since moved to the same position with Antwerp and stories within the Netherlands say the membership have been desirous about getting him again.
Overmars (centre) now works for Royal Antwerp and stated he won’t return to Ajax
Overmars, pictured with fellow Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp (left) and Thierry Henry (centre) in 2006, was a part of one of many nice Gunners sides
However he advised De Telegraaf: ‘I’ve a comfortable spot for Ajax and Amsterdam, but it surely’s a factor of the previous for me.
‘That is true, as a result of I actually get pleasure from my work at Antwerp and I nonetheless have a 12 months and a half left on my contract. I need to see out that contract.
‘Our aim was to make the membership financially sound. The stadium is prepared, and now it is time to get again to constructing a sporting workforce.’
Overmars additionally confirmed the strategy from Ajax, including: ‘That is occurred as soon as earlier than, and now once more, and by a number of folks. By whom? Sure, they’re folks in necessary positions, however I am not going to say who, as a result of then it might simply turn into one other political sport internally. For me, it is over.
‘The present scenario on the membership may be very painful for me. I discover it tough to speak about it.
‘I labored there for ten years, minus two months, and we constructed one thing great collectively. Seeing how issues are going now, and everybody simply killing one another, is heartbreaking. The respect I get from the supporters is nice, and I discover it actually great. It is true that I could not have imagined it might go this fashion.’
On the time of his messaging scandal, Overmars who additionally performed for Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands throughout his legendary enjoying profession, stated he was ‘ashamed’ of his ‘unacceptable behaviour’.
When leaving Ajax, he launched a press release saying: ‘Sadly, I did not realise that I used to be crossing the road with this, however that was made clear to me in current days. I immediately felt huge strain. I apologise.
Erik ten Hag (proper) beforehand gave his former Ajax colleague his agency help
‘Actually, for somebody in my place, this behaviour is unacceptable. I now see that too. However it’s too late. I see no different possibility however to go away Ajax.
‘This additionally has a significant impression on my personal scenario. That’s the reason I ask everybody to go away me and my household alone.’
Overmars was a part of the Arsenal workforce that gained the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, throughout a three-year stint with the Gunners earlier than transitioning right into a revered technical director at Ajax following his retirement from enjoying.
Below his stewardship, Erik ten Hag, led the workforce to a Champions League semi-final and the ex-Man United boss expressed his help for Overmars throughout his scandal.
‘I stand agency that I discover it a shame the way in which Marc Overmars has been handled,’ Ten Hag advised VI. ‘The departure of Marc Overmars killed Ajax on the time.
‘And from membership perspective it was actually silly to throw him below the bus right away.
Overmars apologised after the messaging scandal and stated it had a significant impression on his personal life
‘Overmars was the binding issue inside the membership. He didn’t write a single letter on paper, however each outgoing and incoming line was created by him.
‘He was good, he had strategic perception. After they removed him, every thing collapsed.’
On the time, Ten Hag had stated that he ‘sympathised’ with Overmars, however did additionally supply help to the ladies concerned.
‘I used to be completely surprised after I heard it,’ Ten Hag stated. ‘That is disastrous. After all, you sympathise with him. However the first ideas go to the struggling of the ladies. It touches us all to the depths of our souls.’
