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Disgraced former Arsenal star Marc Overmars has insisted he will not return to old side Ajax as technical director, three years after his inappropriate messages scandal.
The Dutch giants have endured a dreadful start to the season, sacking new boss John Heitinga after 15 matches, with technical director Alex Kroes also departing.
Overmars had been linked with a return despite leaving the club under a cloud. He was suspended from football activities in the Netherlands for one year back in November, 2023.
The Arsenal legend, had been director of football at the Dutch side, before he left the club in February 2022 following the inappropriate messages which took place over an extended period of time and were sent to several female colleagues.
As well as sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues, Overmars also sent pictures of his genitals.
Overmars helped orchestrate a period of sustained success at Ajax, has since moved to a similar role with Antwerp and reports in the Netherlands say the club were interested in getting him back.
Overmars (centre) now works for Royal Antwerp and said he will not return to Ajax
Overmars, pictured with fellow Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp (left) and Thierry Henry (centre) in 2006, was part of one of the great Gunners sides
But he told De Telegraaf: 'I have a soft spot for Ajax and Amsterdam, but it's a thing of the past for me.
'That's true, because I really enjoy my work at Antwerp and I still have a year and a half left on my contract. I want to see out that contract.
'Our goal was to make the club financially sound. The stadium is ready, and now it's time to get back to building a sporting team.'
Overmars also confirmed the approach from Ajax, adding: 'That's happened once before, and now again, and by several people. By whom? Yes, they're people in important positions, but I'm not going to say who, because then it would just become another political game internally. For me, it's over.
'The current situation at the club is very painful for me. I find it difficult to talk about it.
'I worked there for ten years, minus two months, and we built something wonderful together. Seeing how things are going now, and everyone just killing each other, is heartbreaking. The respect I get from the supporters is great, and I find it truly wonderful. It's true that I couldn't have imagined it would go this way.'
At the time of his messaging scandal, Overmars who also played for Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands during his legendary playing career, said he was 'ashamed' of his 'unacceptable behaviour'.
When leaving Ajax, he released a statement saying: '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.
Erik ten Hag (right) previously gave his former Ajax colleague his firm support
'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 was part of the Arsenal team that won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, during a three-year stint with the Gunners before transitioning into a respected technical director at Ajax following his retirement from playing.
Under his stewardship, Erik ten Hag, led the team to a Champions League semi-final and the ex-Man United boss expressed his support for Overmars during his scandal.
'I stand firm that I find it a disgrace the way Marc Overmars has been treated,' Ten Hag told VI. 'The departure of Marc Overmars killed Ajax at the time.
'And from club perspective it was really stupid to throw him under the bus straight away.
Overmars apologised after the messaging scandal and said it had a major impact on his private life
'Overmars was the binding factor within the club. He didn’t write a single letter on paper, but every outgoing and incoming line was created by him.
'He was smart, he had strategic insight. When they got rid of him, everything collapsed.'
At the time, Ten Hag had said that he 'sympathised' with Overmars, but did also offer support to the women involved.
'I was totally stunned when I heard it,' Ten Hag said. 'This is disastrous. Of course, you sympathise with him. But the first thoughts go to the suffering of the women. It touches us all to the depths of our souls.'
