Erik ten Hag and the Ajax selection continued to support Marc Overmars around his forced departure from Ajax, as outlined Fidelity based on Menno de Galan’s book: Ajax in crisis. Overmars had to leave because of sexually explicit and transgressive messages to female colleagues.
De Galan knows that at Ajax’s first team meeting after the news of Overmars’ behavior was announced, the reaction was light-hearted. Then-captain Dusan Tadic laughingly said that in Serbia it is not unusual for the chairman to have sex with the captain’s wife.
Tadic’s comment was met with a hearty laugh. Ten Hag, who worked closely and successfully with Overmars, also continued to support the director. Tadic said he ‘doesn’t see the problem that way’.
The Voice of Holland
According to De Galan, the broadcast is from Angry was the reason for the crisis at Ajax in January 2022. The program revealed transgressive behavior The Voice of Holland. Five days after the shocking broadcast of Angry Van der Sar sent an email to all almost 500 Ajax employees.
The message of the email was clear: report events like this The Voice you have experienced. The next day, a female staff member reported to Van der Sar, also on behalf of another colleague. It heralded the eventual departure of Overmars.
Van der Sar is portrayed as a weak leader by De Galan, concludes Fidelity. The former goalkeeper relied heavily on Overmars and after his departure, Van der Sar often inquired with Leen Meijaard, the chairman of the Supervisory Board. Meijaard received a call from Van der Sar ‘almost every day’.
Meijaard soon had Overmars investigated by the Haarlem lawyer Mirjam Decoz. Meijaard failed to inform all members of the Supervisory Board of this. After Decoz discovered sexual misconduct, Overmars immediately admitted his actions. Overmars even mentioned a few other victims.
After his eventual departure, Overmars asked Meijaard whether a return to Ajax could be possible. Meijaard did not rule anything out, but imposed several conditions. Overmars soon failed to meet one of those conditions. Overmars had to undergo therapy, but only lasted two sessions. Just under two months later, Overmars signed with Royal Antwerp, to the anger of Ajax.