Breaking news: Jordan Henderson left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad
The futures of Ajax players such as Jordan Henderson and Steven Bergwijn have been cast into doubt as the club count the cost of missing out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.
Henderson arrived as a free agent in January having terminated his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, signing until June 2026.
The 33-year-old England international joined the likes of Bergwijn as one of Ajax’s highest earners, but financial problems at the Johan Cruyff Arena mean that both of them are among those facing an uncertain outlook.
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There is no specific desire from the four-time European champions to part with either man — or vice versa — and if there was a preference it would be to trade out other squad members.
However the reality of Ajax’s situation is that these steps must be considered in a bid to help balance the books during the summer market.
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There is also a feeling that prominent players including Henderson and Bergwijn, who was acquired form Tottenham Hotspur in July 2022, were enticed by a project which is yet to show signs of materialising during a turbulent period.
The Amsterdam side — currently fifth in the table with two games left to play — will finish outside the top two in Eredivisie for a second successive season.
The top two teams in the Netherlands will go straight into the group stage of next season’s revamped Champions League, while third place will be enough for a place in the qualifying round.
UEFA forecasts suggest the Champions League’s new format will see an extra £372million ($477m) in prize money for the 36 teams involved for 2024/25, which Ajax stand to miss out on.
A fifth-place finish is Ajax’s only route into Europe next season, and they would still be required to go through the qualifying round to earn a place in the group stage of the 2024/25 Europa League.
The Athletic reported on Thursday that former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea manager Graham Potter had turned down the opportunity to become the club’s next head coach.
The 36-time Dutch champions are searching for a new boss after sacking Maurice Steijn in October and appointing John van’t Schip on an interim basis.
Multiple openings have come his way post-Chelsea, but he continues to assess all options before returning to the dugout.
(Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
