Jordan Henderson: Ajax Manager Aims Subtle Dig at Saudi League with Comment on Midfielder’s Physique

• Jordan Henderson was confirmed as an Ajax player on Thursday, January 18
• The midfielder agreed to terminate his contract with Saudi club, Al-Ettifaq
• His new coach made a cheeky comment to Henderson in their first interaction

Ajax manager, John van’t Schip could not help himself as he aimed a cheeky dig at former Liverpool ace, Jordan Henderson, in one of the pair’s first interactions.

The former Reds player was confirmed as a new Ajax player on Thursday, January 18, ending his six-month association with Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ettifaq.

The SPL side and Henderson mutually agreed to terminate the 33-year-old’s contract with immediate effect, which allowed him to join Ajax on a free transfer.

The former Liverpool man has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Dutch club, per Sky Sports.

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Henderson’s awkward interaction with Van’t Schip

As soon as Ajax confirmed the signing of Henderson, the midfielder was on media duty as he conducted his first interview with the club.

In a video posted on the club’s official YouTube page, Hendy was greeted by Ajax’s interim boss, Van’t Schip, who aimed a very subtle dig at the Saudi Pro League while commenting on the midfielder’s physique.

"You look sharp, you didn’t gain any weight, I see?" Van’t Schip cheekily remarked, to which Henderson replied, "No, I still feel good."

In the interview, Henderson admitted the last few days were a 'whirlwind' but expressed delight after finally being one of the 2022 Eredivisie champions.

"Ajax is a football club that speaks for itself. Once I knew there was an opportunity here, I was overexcited that the opportunity was there for me. I wanted to make it happen," he said.

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Ajax’s struggles this season

Henderson joins an Ajax team that is a shadow of their former selves and he will hope to bring about better fortunes. The midfielder will wear the number 6 shirt.

The club currently sits fifth in the standings and their league aspirations this season are all but over as they are 23 points behind the leaders, PSV Eindhoven.

Players who made wrong career moves

Meanwhile, as Sports Brief also previously reported, former Al-Ettifaq star, Henderson is not the first player to make a risky career move.

The likes of Fernando Torres and Alexis Sanchez are just a few of the big names who left decent clubs in their prime but regretted that.