Ajax legend blasts Jordan Henderson after exit demand as star told to ‘be a man’

Jordan Henderson has demanded Ajax release him 18 months before the end of his contract so he can join Monaco, with the veteran midfielder now being slammed for his actions

Ajax legend Wesley Sneijder has urged Jordan Henderson to ‘be a man’ after the former England international demanded a free transfer from the Dutch giants.

The 34-year-old is keen to join French side Monaco before the end of the January transfer window. But he still has 18 months to run on his contract, having arrived at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Janaury 2024.

The Eredivisie side offered him an escape route from his nightmare at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. He left Ettifaq after just six months and was named captain shortly after his arrival in Amsterdam.

But ahead of the Thursday’s win over Galatasaray, Henderson demanded he be released from his contract 18 months early in order for him to move to Monaco. He was still handed the armband for the game, but instead gave it Remko Pasveer just before kick-off.

The midfielder did play in the victory, which saw Ajax confirm their place in the play-offs. Following the match, Sneijder launched a brutal takedown of Henderson for his ‘strange’ decision to strip himself of the captaincy.

“Don’t be so difficult. You just play that match with the armband on and then you say, ‘Yeah guys, I don’t know yet’. Something is going on. We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Sneijder said.

“Be a man and stand up. Right now you get all this speculation and you create unrest. It could have been much calmer if he had just worn the [captain’s] armband. I find it very strange. I don’t think UEFA had even figured it out yet.

“So there must have been some kind of switch at the last moment. That does raise questions. I don’t know if we’ll hear an explanation from Farioli, because he probably won’t give an answer. But I find it strange. I think: if you choose a different captain, you shouldn’t field Henderson either.”

According to De Telegraaf, Henderson called Ajax chiefs and threatened to no longer play for the club if they did not agree to his demands for a free transfer. He is also said to have taken the ‘childish’ decision not to celebrate either of his side’s two goals against Galatasaray.

The veteran also opted against taking part in the lap of honour to thank to fans at the final whistle. Despite his actions, Ajax are remaining firm and will not ‘under any circumstances’ sign the documents that would allow him to depart.

Henderson is one of Ajax’s highest earners and the Dutch side have no intention of letting him leave this month. A summer move may be discussed, with Henderson now said to have explained his actions by claiming he had allowed his head to ‘run wild’.

The midfielder has now indicated that he will not follow through on his threat to stop playing. Instead he is now focusing on helping Ajax to enjoy a successful season and attempt to rescue his reputation.

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