Their name challenges you to dream, their majestic stadium invites you to be inspired.
Ajax from Amsterdam, with those iconic white and red shirts, a renowned philosophy and a back catalog of legends, is a club that every footballer would want to play for.
Jordan Henderson knows his sport inside and out. When Liverpool faced Ajax in the Champions League in October 2022, he was surprised by the deafening support, flag-waving ceremony and dazzling light display produced by the fanatical local fans before kick-off.
The point is that Liverpool – who were in the midst of a desperate run of form – ended up winning that match at a canter.
History and reputation did not help Ajax that evening and in the sixteen months that followed everything that came before in the glory years was a millstone around their neck.
Jordan Henderson has signed for Ajax, but their glory days still seem far away at the moment
Henderson claimed that the decision to leave the Saudi club after just six months was the best for him and his family
Ajax legend Johan Cruyff, wearing a Juventus shirt, receives the European Cup in 1973. Ajax defeated the Italian side 1-0 in the final in Belgrade, making it a hat-trick of victories
Your browser does not support iframes.
Henderson switched to Ajax after terminating his contract with Al-Ettifaq, but the difference between past and present is big.
The club for which he signed until June 2026 is in turmoil and the switch from Saudi Arabia to the Netherlands offers no guarantee of success.
A reminder of how bad this season has been: in September a match against their hated rivals Feyenoord was abandoned after Ajax fans stormed the Cruyff Arena in protest at how poorly the club had been run, throwing flares and kicking in doors.
Four days later, Sven Mislintat – once of Arsenal – was sacked as football director amid questions about a number of signings.
The following month, as they slipped into the relegation zone, coach Maurice Steijn was fired. He had only been in charge for four months.
The situation was terrible, but worse was yet to come. USV Hercules, an amateur club with students on the team, eliminated Ajax from the Dutch Cup.
It was one of the most incredible results in the country’s history and De Telegraaf, the respected newspaper, unleashed anger and condemnation.
“Ajax is deeply ashamed of this cup disgrace,” read a shouting headline, responding to how the fan base felt.
England midfielder Henderson was filmed looking around the Ajax museum after signing
Henderson praised Ajax’s rich history when he gave an interview in their trophy room
The club that brought Total Football to the world has long become a Total Mess. Henderson’s move – certainly on their behalf – carries a hint of desperation.
Ajax desperately wants to show that their light does not go out, that they can remain relevant. That is why they have agreed the largest financial package in the history of the Eredivisie, a package that is heavily incentivized with bonuses for achieving targets.
What needs to be achieved this season is qualification for the Champions League. There is no chance of them winning the title – PSV Eindhoven is over the hill and far away with seventeen perfect wins from seventeen games – and the chances are good that Ajax will finish in the top three.
They are nine points behind Twente Enschede and although form has improved – Ajax have won their last three games – there is no guarantee they will close the gap as there are so many questions about their selection.
Here it will be a huge challenge for Henderson, who becomes only the third Englishman to represent Ajax, after Ray Clarke, a respected centre-forward in the 1970s, and Chuba Akpom, who will be a familiar face in a new dressing room.
Ajax has had a turbulent season, full of embarrassing defeats and personnel changes
The low point this season came when amateurs USV Hercules knocked them out of the cup
Fans forced the match against Feyenoord in protest in September
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd that had gathered outside the Johan Cruijff Arena
Fans began vandalizing their own stadium after the match in protest against the club’s hierarchy
There has been excitement in Amsterdam about his arrival, but there are also great expectations: there are calls for him to be the catalyst for a revival of fortunes, to drag the team forward with his energy and personality.
He is in good physical condition, but must show that there is gas in the tank by his 34th birthday.
Leaving Liverpool was a mistake, but it was fueled by the desire to keep playing.
He wouldn’t have been a regular starter for Jurgen Klopp, and he was told so last spring, but he would have played more than 15 games already this season and perhaps in time there will be recognition that the decision to leave was made hastily . .
It’s remarkable to think that the man who led Liverpool to their first title in thirty years and captained them to three Champions League finals left through the back door, rather than completing the final 12 months of his contract and in May to say goodbye to Anfield in a fitting manner.
A lot has happened and a lot said since July last year, and as a result, his every move from this point on will be scrutinized.
Henderson’s place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 is far from assured
Gareth Southgate will be watching – the pair have an excellent relationship – but so will the critics who believe the England squad can continue without him.
Other clubs were interested in signing Henderson this month, most notably Juventus, but he has opted for the most loaded option.
Appearances can be deceiving and although everything about Ajax is great from a distance, you look closely at things and you see spots everywhere.
Is this the right environment for someone to rebuild a reputation that has taken a hit? Many have doubts.
Joining Ajax is not controversial, but it does entail as many sporting obstacles as there were in the Middle East. His eyes must be wide open for the pitfalls along the way.