"He has really gone over the line."
Ajax have announced that Marc Overmars has left his role as director of football effective immediately after a series of 'inappropriate messages' he sent to female colleagues came to light.
Overmars had worked as the Amsterdam club's director of football since 2012.
Marc Overmars leaves Ajax after sending series of inappropriate messages.
A club statement on the
Ajax website reads: "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, who assumed the role in 2012, 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. 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."
Overmars leaves Ajax.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper CEO Edwin van der Sar said: "I find the situation appalling for everyone and I agree with Leen Meijaard's words. 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 ten 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 played for Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona during his playing career.
