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Marc Overmars has abruptly quit as director of football at Dutch champions Ajax on Sunday after apologising for sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.

Overmars, a renowned winger in his playing days for Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Netherlands, said he was “ashamed” after being confronted by the club in the last week about his behaviour.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t realise that I was crossing the line with this, but that was made clear to me in recent days,” he said in a statement. “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.”

The club said “a series of inappropriate messages sent to several female colleagues over an extended period of time” led to the decision. The conduct, described as “extremely painful for everyone” by supervisory board chair Leen Meijaard, will see Overmars leave with immediate effect.

“It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with the behaviour,” Meijaard said. “When we heard news of this, we immediately acted, carefully deliberating and weighing what was the best thing to do, all in consultation with CEO Edwin van der Sar and assisted by an external expert.”

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