'Be a man!' - Jordan Henderson blasted after giving up captain's armband at Ajax as ex-Liverpool star walks back on Monaco move

Henderson was named Ajax's captain after just half a season at the Dutch club. The former Liverpool star joined the Eredivisie side in January of 2024 from Al-Ettifaq and has been a pivotal part of Francesco Farioli's side as they chase Champions League football for next season. However, the former England international has demanded to leave the side after spending just over a year at the club.

Monaco want to add Henderson to their squad as they aim to fight hard in the Champions League knockout stages and the rest of the Ligue 1 season. As such, the former England midfielder gave up his captain's armband to Remko Pasveer during Thursday's Europa League clash against Galatasaray, and the goalkeeper has now opened up about the decision.

Speaking to the media, Pasveer opened up on the captaincy drama: "Jordan wanted to focus on the match and not on peripheral matters. That was discussed just before the match."

On Henderson not appearing in front of the media, Pasveer added: "Jordan does not want it to be about him but about the match. It is good that I can take over from him. That way we are there for each other. If he feels good about this, then that is the best we can do. What you, the media, want to make of it, is up to you. This is his feeling and then I have his back."

Despite Pasveer's claims that Henderson wanted the focus to be on Ajax's clash with Galatasaray, Netherlands legends Ronald de Boer and Wesley Sneijder were not pleased by the former Liverpool captain's decision to do so.

De Boer said: "This is complete nonsense. Henderson wanted to focus on the match, but he did not have to appear in front of the camera before the match. I understand that Pasveer has to do this, but it is simply nonsense. Henderson simply has other things on his mind and apparently does not want to respond to it."

Sneijder added: "Don't be so difficult, man. You play the match, you have the armband on and after the match, you say: 'Yeah, guys, I don't know yet. Something is going on. We'll see.' Be a man and stand your ground. Right now you get speculation and you create a lot of unrest."

Despite the drama surrounding Ajax's clash against Galatasaray over Henderson's future, De Telegraaf has now reported that the former Liverpool star has decided to stay at the club until the end of the current season. He also apologized to Ajax director Alex Kroes and the team for the saga.

The former Liverpool captain seems highly likely to leave Ajax for Monaco ahead of the February 3 deadline despite the Dutch side not being keen on losing their captain in the middle of their season.