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Ex-Holland coach Van Marwijk slams Ajax over Henderson deal

Former Netherlands and Borussia Dortmund manager Bert van Marwijk is unimpressed with Ajax targeting Jordan Henderson.

The ex-Liverpool captain and England midfielder has canceled his contract with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.

Now the 33-year-old, per various English and Dutch media reports, is set to sign as a free agent for Ajax.

Speaking in his column for De Telegraaf, Van Marwijk stated: “Starting with the most talked about transfer of this period, Jordan Henderson, I wouldn't do it. As Ajax, I would do something completely different during this period.

“Right now, sit together with the entire technical staff and other technical people in the club and say clearly: What do we want? What is our vision? Write out that vision clearly again and work on it again within the entire club…

“Yes, Ajax is in panic. I understand Ajax, they look at the rankings and see that they are nine points behind FC Twente and five behind AZ. I believe they will overtake AZ. But of the two, FC Twente and AZ, one always remains standing.

Ajax can never finish higher than fourth and will certainly miss participation in the Champions League, where the big money is.

“So what is the reality? That you will bring in the expensive Henderson, whose salary I understand is already at least six million euros, to reach the Europa League or Conference League.

“I have often seen Henderson play for the England national team and Liverpool. I don't think he is a player who makes a difference in terms of scoring or setting up the organization at Ajax. One that puts all players at Ajax in the right place in the middle of the season?

“Henderson is more of a character player, who never lets the team down. He is a boy who plays well when a team is well attuned to each other.

“And if you also look at the total costs - a player who earned a fortune in Saudi Arabia often receives signing money in addition to his salary to compensate him for the loss of his money - then I wouldn't do it if I would look to the future at Ajax."

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Ansser Sadiq

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