Marc Overmars leave Royal Antwerp with immediate effect
Marc Overmars has left his role as sporting director of Antwerp FC with immediate effect. The 53-year-old executive announced the decision in an extensive farewell letter.
Overmars had worked for The Great Old since 2022, but is stepping down after 4.5 years because of his health. "Dear supporters, for weeks I had been making all kinds of plans to address you extensively after the transfer window. Because there has not been much communication from me to you in recent months," he begins his farewell letter.
"That is why I had marked the beginning of September in my diary as the moment to speak to you fully about the future. The last seasons of Royal Antwerp have not been easy. And takeover months always tend to be somewhat chaotic and also stressful. Once the new story could begin, everyone had to get straight down to work. It could not be any other way, because for our club we do not want to lose any time.
Unfortunately, my message is not the one I wanted to bring you. All the fatigue built up over many years and the great deal of stress sadly reached a peak last weekend. You all know that my health is not optimal. But now I feel very clearly that I can no longer cope with this hectic, stressful professional life. To want to, very much so! And preferably until the end of this football season, and many seasons after that. Discussions over a contract extension were therefore very much ongoing. But my health forces me to be honest with myself and everyone around me.
Today my energy is completely gone: if I do not listen to my body now, then my doctors predict that the chance of a bad outcome is very great. So I have to make a drastic decision and completely stop my professional activities for the time being. 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 am, professionally and privately. My family often come to Antwerp and gladly so, it is our second home. What we have achieved together in sporting terms has been immortalised in the history books of Belgian football. But above all, I feel an enormous connection 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 will continue to beat for this club.
Trying to thank everyone is impossible. Paul and Ria, Michael and the whole Gheysens family, thank you for believing in me when I was having a very difficult time. Sven and Joachim, thank you for the strong team we were. The legal and financial people who perhaps occasionally went crazy because of me. Wouter and Jacques, thank you for giving our club a new future. Because that reassures me today. There is stability and perspective again.
Before the match against Union, I want to thank you all once again in person next week. After that, complete rest really will be the order of the day. In the future, you will certainly still see me at the Bosuil. And with a steak Pont-neuf. A stew at den Artist. On my scooter through Kloosterstraat. I love RAFC. I love the biscuit city. I love you!
