Marc Overmars steps down as Royal Antwerp director of football over health concerns

Marc Overmars has stepped down immediately as Royal Antwerp’s director of football because of serious health concerns, saying the accumulated strain of his career has left him unable to continue in a demanding professional environment.

The former Netherlands international, who suffered a heart attack in December 2022, announced his decision on Wednesday. The 53-year-old said he had reached the limit of what he could cope with after years of intense work.

“Unfortunately, the accumulated exhaustion and severe mental pressure reached their peak at the end of last weekend,” Overmars said in a statement published by the Belgian club on its official X account.

“As you all know, my health is not good. But I now clearly feel that I am no longer able to cope with this hectic and stressful professional life.”

Overmars said his doctors had warned him about the dangers of carrying on in the same way and that his energy had completely run out.

“I have now completely exhausted my energy,” he added. “If I do not listen to my body now, my doctors expect the risk of serious complications to be extremely high.”

The decision represents a painful moment for Overmars, who had held the senior football role at Royal Antwerp since March 2022. He had also been involved in discussions about extending his contract before deciding to leave.

Overmars expressed his deep gratitude to the club’s board, staff and supporters, describing Royal Antwerp as a “second home” for his family. He said he felt reassured by the club’s new stability and intended to say a final farewell to the supporters at the match against Union before taking a period of “complete rest”.

Despite leaving his position, Overmars told fans that he would continue to return to the Bosuil stadium as a supporter.

“My heart may not be in the strongest condition right now, but it beats today and forever for this club,” he said.

Overmars began his playing career at Go Ahead Eagles before establishing himself as one of the most highly regarded attacking players of his generation. He later represented Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona, while also earning international recognition with the Netherlands.

After moving into football administration, he became a prominent figure at Ajax before taking up his role at Royal Antwerp. His departure brings an immediate end to that period in Belgium as he prioritises his health following the heart attack he suffered in 2022.

In a message accompanying the announcement, Overmars explained that he had spent weeks making plans to address supporters in detail after the transfer window, acknowledging that he had had little direct communication with them in recent months.

He said he had intended to speak to them after the mercato, but his deteriorating condition has forced him to bring his professional career to a halt and step away from the club he described as a second home.