Jordan Henderson’s rough spell at Ajax worsens as the club misses out on the Eredivisie title and manager Francesco Farioli quits after one season
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Sport
21:08, 19 May 2025
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson's time at Ajax has not been plain sailing
(Image: Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson's time at Ajax has taken another turn after the Dutch giants lost the league title in dramatic circumstances leading to their manager making the shocking decision to leave the club.
As Liverpool celebrate their record-equalling 20th top-flight English league title, former Reds captain Henderson has little to shout about. Ajax lost the Eredivisie title on the last day to their bitter rivals PSV Eindhoven - and by just a single point.
Ajax have won the most titles in the history of the Dutch League with their last win coming in 2021/22. Unfortunately for Henderson, he joined the squad from Saudi Arabia at a time of turmoil. The former Champions League winners spent some time in the relegation zone last season.
Now, after another failed title charge, a stunning decision was made by Ajax manager Francesco Farioli to leave the club. The 36-year-old manager had joined the club last year and was contracted to stay until 2027. After just one year in the job, he - along with the club's assistant coaches and goalkeeping coach - have had enough.
"I find this incredibly disappointing," Ajax's technical director Alex Kroes told the club. "Francesco and his staff have been a great help to us. It’s been an intense season filled with many memorable moments, and we achieved our goal: qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
"Francesco also played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful. This summer was already set to be a challenging transfer window, and it has now become even more so.
"It is up to us to ensure that a strong new coaching team is in place when pre-season preparations begin on 26 June."
Farioli also issued a farewell message, saying: "My journey at Ajax started almost one year ago, at De Toekomst, with the aim of bringing Ajax back to where it belongs. And it ended at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, finally bringing back Ajax to Champions League, the biggest stage of European football. We wanted to bring new energy to the whole Ajax community, sharing a positive way of working and thinking with the club at all levels."
"Being Ajax first non-Dutch coach since 1998 and the club's first-ever Italian one have been an absolute privilege: together with my staff we embraced this huge challenge with respect, responsibility, passion and determination to succeed.
"Earning the respect and support from Ajax fans we felt throughout the whole season meant a lot for myself and my staff. We lived unbelievable and unforgettable moments all together: a unique, intense, emotional season in which we shared belief, fighting spirit and pride, finally achieving our goal, accomplishing our mission.""The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals. Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways."
Henderson's own contract at the club runs out in June 2026. By that point the experienced midfielder will be 35-year-old. Little has been said on the ex-Liverpool star's future, but if tensions continue to rise at Ajax then he could look elsewhere.