Arsenal and Barcelona icon Marc Overmars has unexpectedly quit his role as sporting director of Royal Antwerp FC with immediate effect as he revealed the state of his health to supporters
Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars has quit his role at Royal Antwerp over his ill health(Image: Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images)
An Arsenal and Barcelona legend has suddenly quit his role as sporting director of a top side in Belgium after penning an emotional letter on his ill health over the reason behind the decision.
Dutch icon Marc Overmars, who played for Arsenal from 1997 to 2000, told supporters of Royal Antwerp FC that he will be stepping down from the role as his "energy is completely depleted" following the summer transfer window.
The 53-year-old told fans that his health struggles have gotten worse and on doctors orders, if he does not taken action then he "the chance of a bad outcome is very high."
Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars only played for Arsenal for a few seasons but left a huge mark on the Premier League (Image: Shaun Botterill /Allsport)
It is not the first time Overmars' health issues have been made public after the former Ajax star suffered a mild stroke in 2022 and was rushed to hospital. Royal Antwerp FC issued a statement on the incident at the time but Overmars recovered to continue his duties as sporting director.
However, today (September 9) Overmars has admitted that he can no longer continue his role at the club and he has to be "honest with myself" over his health after talks opened about extending his time at the club.
Overmars joined Royal Antwerp FC after previously being director of football at Ajax, which he held for nearly a decade. He left the Dutch club "ashamed" after admitting to sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
In his full statement published by Royal Antwerp FC today, he told the club's supporters: "For weeks, I was fully immersed in making plans to address you all at length after the transfer window. Because there hasn't been much communication from me to you in recent months.
Marc Overmars, sports director of Antwerp FC
Overmars has had notable health issues, including a stroke in 2022(Image: Peter De Voecht/Getty Images)
"That's why early September was firmly marked in my calendar to talk openly with you about the future. The last seasons at RAFC were not easy. And takeover periods always unfold somewhat chaotically and stressfully. Once the new chapter could begin, everyone had to jump right in. There's no other way, because for our club, we don't want to waste any time.
"My message, unfortunately, is not the one I wanted to bring you. All the long-built-up exhaustion and the immense stress unfortunately reached a peak this past weekend. You all know that my health is not optimal. But now, I very clearly feel that I can no longer handle this hectic, stressful professional life today. I want to, very much! And preferably until the end of this football season, and many seasons thereafter. The discussions about a contract extension were therefore in full swing. But my health forces me to be honest with myself and everyone around me.
Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe (Image: GETTY)
"My energy is completely depleted today: if I don't listen to my body now, my doctors predict that the chance of a bad outcome is very high. So I have to make a drastic decision and completely halt my professional activities for the time ahead. There are no words to describe how much pain this causes me. RAFC, the city of Antwerp, and the supporters of our club have become part of who I have become, both professionally and personally. My family often and gladly comes to Antwerp; it's our second home. What we've achieved together in sporting terms is immortalized in the history books of Belgian football. But above all, I feel an enormous bond with this club and all RAFC supporters. And that will always remain so. I may no longer have the strongest heart, but it beats now and in the future for this club.
"It's impossible to thank everyone. Paul and Ria, Michael and the entire Gheysens family, thank you for believing in me when I was really struggling. Sven and Joachim, thank you for the strong team we were. The legal and financial people who probably went crazy with me from time to time. Wouter and Jacques, thank you for giving our club a new future. Because that reassures me today. There is stability and perspective once again.
"For the match against Union, I want to thank you all in person again next week. After that, complete rest is truly necessary. In the future, you'll certainly still see me at the Bosuil. And with a steak in Pont-neuf. A stew in den Artist. On my scooter through the Kloosterstraat. I love RAFC. I love the cookie city. I love you all!"