Arsene Wenger has played down suggestions that Marc Overmars is on the cusp of re-joining Arsenal as a Director of Football.
A report in Italy claimed this week that Dutchman, who played for the Gunners between 1997-99, is on the verge of quitting his role at Ajax ahead of a move to London.
While the boss didn’t deny contact with his former player, he was coy on further details.
“No [it’s not true he’s coming back], at the moment he’s a director at Ajax. We have always been in touch, yes, but at the moment no.
“Not at the moment, no.”
In February, Overmars hinted that he’d potentially be interested in joining Arsenal at some point in the future.
“If the board think about the future and make a list of people to work at the club, it wouldn’t surprise me if I am on the list of people,” he said.
“However, at this moment, I want to stay at Ajax.”
He followed that up in April with further comments. “I think there is a list with some names and I might be on it,” he teased. “But it’s not that exciting yet.”
Wenger has repeatedly made clear that he’s not interested in working with a Director of Football, however, as he comes to the end of his time at Arsenal it’s possible the board may push for a transition period.
Bring him in, can it make it worse than what is happening at the moment? We need some more actual football thinking people at the club whether its overmars or not.
Yes it can I’m afraid.
He loves the club but I’d like to see evidence that he is good at his job.
He has apparently done it successfully at Ajax
Not according to a lot of Ajax fans. Reports are that he’s not a very popular figure amongst them, not that I’ve been paying much attention though.
Football club supporters not satisfied with club’s transfers.
That would be a first
I would love it if Ian Wright came back just to do the press conference.
And Jens Lehmann too
He left for Barcelona and must ho be a director there
I fear that due to his previous relationship with Wenger (boss-player), experience, age, CV etc that he will end up being subservient in any role at the club and even if he is given the accountability of say a Director of Football position he will not have the authority to carry it out successfully.
I’m pretty sure if Wenger holds all the power over his CEO that one his ex players will have no chance to be considered even as an equal.