Former Arsenal and Netherlands winger Marc Overmars has resigned from his position as sporting director at Royal Antwerp, citing serious health issues that have worsened over time.
The 52-year-old, who took up the role at the Belgian club in 2022, confirmed his departure in a letter addressed to supporters on Wednesday. In it, he pointed to years of accumulated exhaustion and severe professional stress as the driving factors behind his decision.
Overmars had already suffered a mild stroke in December 2022, an episode that raised concerns about his wellbeing while working in football's demanding environment. In his statement, he admitted that his condition had not improved in the years since.
"You all know that my health has not been optimal," Overmars wrote. "But now I feel very clearly that I can no longer cope with this hectic, stressful professional life."
He went on to describe just how depleted he currently feels, warning that continuing in the role could have serious consequences for his health. "My energy is now completely depleted. If I do not listen to my body now, my doctors say there is a very high risk of things ending badly," he said. "So I have to make a drastic decision and completely stop my professional activities for the time being."
Before joining Royal Antwerp, Overmars spent close to a decade as director of football at Ajax, the club where he began his playing career. His tenure there ended abruptly when it emerged that he had sent inappropriate messages to several female colleagues, conduct he later apologized for publicly.
On the pitch, Overmars built a reputation as one of Europe's most exciting wingers during the 1990s and early 2000s. He arrived at Arsenal in 1997 after making his name at Ajax, and quickly became a fan favorite in north London. In his very first season at Highbury, Arsenal clinched the Premier League and FA Cup double, with Overmars delivering one of the campaign's most memorable moments — the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
He went on to spend three seasons with Arsenal before completing a move to Barcelona in 2000, a transfer that made him the most expensive player in Dutch football history at the time. Overmars later returned to the Netherlands to finish his playing career at Go Ahead Eagles.
Internationally, Overmars was a key figure for the Dutch national team, earning 86 caps between 1993 and 2004 and scoring 17 goals. He represented his country at four major tournaments, playing a prominent role as the Netherlands reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup, as well as appearing at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.
His departure from Royal Antwerp marks the end of another significant chapter in a football career that has spanned playing and executive roles across some of Europe's biggest clubs. For now, Overmars says his focus must shift entirely away from the pressures of professional football as he prioritizes his health and recovery.
No replacement has been announced yet for the sporting director position at the Belgian club following his exit.
Based on reporting from The Independent.