Football is a pretty popular sport. Wanting to "grow it all over the world" is like saying, "i want to make more people enjoy Microsoft products".

He's going to grow the game in the Netherlands. You're welcome Holland.

Listening to that clip of Henderson shows that he didn't even convince himself that the reason he went to Saudi wasn't about money

Think only Ruben Neves stated he was going for the money, no one else had the balls, probably worried about their visit to the Embassy

Leave Henderson alone guys. He went to Saudi to grow the league, and since then the average match attendances have risen from 850 people per match to 900. Job well done!

I'd say it's smart from the Saudi Pro League to let him go without a fight. They are trying to convince the best players to join the league so if a high profile player decides they can't settle and want out. Stopping that from happening would probably make players think twice about going. The fact Henderson has been given an easy out will be less damaging for the league in the long run. Henderson is the one that comes out of this looking worse. Sold out his faux principles to go there and hasn't got the backbone to stick it out. It's just a rotten shame for him that he wont be able to help grow the sport in that region as I know he cares so passionately about it. I think.

“Grow the game” haha. Yes, what the most popular sport in the world needs is Jordan Henderson to grow it some more. The worst thing about all of this is that Henderson is now guaranteed to play at the Euros. Galling.

40 degree heat in the desert? Who would have guessed that

It’d be refreshing to hear one of these players/managers saying ‘I’m going to Saudi for the money’

That Punch in the Gut from Simon 😂😂😂😂😂. Tryna grow the game of course 🤣🤣😭😭😭😭

The fact that he’s moving to Amsterdam shows us that he probably missed living in the west 🍻

This guy is all about money, if Henderson went to a UK club the money he made in tax free Saudi would still be subject to UK tax (two year tax rule), so he went to Ajax instead.

Hes only getting 175k a week from Ajax 😢 how will he survive

Sir Simon = Top LAD Proper Clobber 💯 Facts

Hes not the only one who hasnt done due dilligence. Firmino and Benzema also want to leave after 6 months.

He went for the money then realised he couldn't do anything over there but melt on the 40 degree heat

A legend in his own mind.

He's made himself look so stupid after building up a good reputation with what he did at Liverpool. The fact he did that interview saying everyone who said he just went for the money was wrong and now this is hilarious

His wife was living in Bahrain across the causeway (much better socially with bars etc) - that's not integrating with expats in Dammam though - not helping with him settling in either...hell of a culture shock and not for everyone.

Another way of looking at it that we can all relate to I’m sure…putting the vast sums of money aside…he’s made a career move for financial reasons, realises immediately that he hates it for personal and/or family reasons, and rather than drag it out, he’s immediately resolving his situation. Plenty of us in the “normal” world have probably stayed in jobs that make us unhappy way longer than we should have, always saying we’ll leave but then never doing it. There’s also something to admire in someone who quickly rectifies a mistake.

Henderson and Hendry are the first British players in history to come to the Saudi League. Over years we’ve had many players from all over the world especially South America, Africa, and parts of Europe that were able to adapt and fit in but I think it’s most difficult for players from UK to succeed here due to the heat, cultural differences and media scrutiny back home.

Henderson is not the first to walk away from the Saudi league and I doubt he will be the last. I'm sure some players at the end of their career will go there to pad their pension but the more that walk away will make it harder to recruit the players the Saudi's want to make their league attractive. At the end of the day many of the players that the Saudi's want are used to playing in front of big crowds and the thrill that, that gives and that is not going to happen. The fact that Messi and others have chosen the US over Saudi is in my opinion a massive problem for the Saudi's. As more players return from Saudi Arabia and tell others of their experiences I feel the harder it will be to get the players they want. I think that the Saudi's will discover that just because they have a large viewing population who watch European football that simply just doesn't translate to them been able to create a huge club league that will rival the big leagues of Europe. Throwing money at the game didn't work in China and I don't think it will work in Saudi Arabia either. As for Henderson I think he has damaged his reputation and the possibilities of him doing something in the game when his playing career comes to an end. Clubs will be reluctant to take him on as a coach as they will always be wondering if he will jump ship if more money becomes available. TV companies will be reluctant to have him as a pundit because he now has the tag of hypocrite attached to him.

I enjoy listening to Simon, he is a top man,

If he gave us less bullshit in his media spiel I'm sure a fraction of the public would be less vitriolic. In a weird way he has helped the FA because it puts a strangle hold on the strength and legitimacy of their league.

The reason he's going to a non UK club is all about money apparently: Liverpool Echo stating that it's a tax issue: if he returns to the UK within 12 months he's liable for 6.9 mill quid.

Hendo is the water carrier in good technical teams...carrying water in 40⁰c heat...no wonder it didn't work

So opted for ajax over a move back to england to avoid the taxman. Motivation was always money.

I have serious doubts that England fans will be very forgiving towards Jordan Henderson if he is in the next England squad. His reception would probably be rather hostile.

If Henderson gets picked for the England squad and England dont win it, Southgate will never escape being beaten with that stick.

I don't get why players don't learn that leaving Liverpool is a mistake. Coutinho, Mane, Henderson, Firmino. All had shockers right after leaving (And I'm an Arsenal fan)

the English talk flippantly about Saudi money without acknowledging how good the Saudi's are with their money. They wont be letting Henderson play them.

As a Saudi, I believe that the reason he left Saudi that he did not join a top team here, instead he followed his old teammate Steven Gerrard. On the other hand, other famous footballers who played in EPL like Ronaldo, Mane and Mitrovic are delighted and want to stay longer in Saudi.

3:03 ofc Hendo brokered his own contract termination. That's so like him, Type A😅 Wonder if the breakdown of the Ettifaq deal is going to strain Hendo's relations with the Alexander-Arnold family, though?

One of the luckiest footballers ever. Bang average. And I’m a Liverpool fan.

Stunning and brave moves.Nonsense and sensibilities can`t be pandered to everywhere yet, thankfully !

That is a massive amount of money to turn down. It must have been absolutely miserable for him. 😂 The culture shock must have been brutal on him.

I love running.

Anyone who has gone abroad to work will tell you that the first six months or so are the hardest - you miss friends and relatives, home comforts, food, people's sense of humour and the general way of life. Quite a few don't realise how much they will miss all of that until they don't have it, and soon want to come home, and this is clearly the case here.

I don’t believe a word of what he said, yeah I’m going cos I want to grow the game round the world..I love it that much 😂😂😂Brilliant 👏..He should definitely go into politics when he retires, he has all the traits

Am happy for Grealish, at least. Amsterdam's only an hour and a half from Manchester, probably even closer on redeye or a private flight, plus NL is very friendly to alternative lifestyles. Jack's going to be happy as a larry again at next England camp.

Henderson sounds soooo thick when he talks 😂😂😂😂about ..."i love football...i love running...i love football and running"..😂😂😂😂😂

Ajax fans are in for a treat, the best passer of a ball sideways in Europe...😂😂

Isn't it funny how the people that shout the loudest about how much they care and like to be seen doing what they think is a good thing are often the ones that drop these causes if money comes along. Beckham made sure everyone saw his UNICEF work but then became an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup. The same with Lineker. He constantly goes on about social issues on Twitter but was happy to go to Qatar. The same with Henderson.

Henderson is the living embodiment of "the current thing" supporter

Will they be able to understand him at Ajax, though? He'll be ringing up... errr...McClaren for... errr....tip'sh.

I wish sportspeople were just honest about chasing the money 🤦🏻

Going to Saudi has cost him money. He signing for Ajax for less than he was on a Liverpool and less than another EPL would given him post-liverpool. I know he got big money in Saudi but it was only for about 4 months or something

As an Ajax supporter Im over the moon with him coming to my club, for us these kind of signings arent normal. None of us expect fancy play from him, but we desperately need an international experienced player who can lead and show the youngsters what it takes to make it to the top; and bring more structure to our games.

Hendo looks like a pratt but he will have earned well from this episode and ending up at Ajax is not a bad way to wind down your career. This whole "damage his legacy" nonsense, is a narrative that had little bite. I think we all would have preferred him to say it was a great financial opportunity and not dribble the growing the game rubbish, but he had to appease his paymasters and they were handing him the bag of gold. I dont blame him and I respect him for realising his mistake and coming back (considerably richer)

He always dreamed of playing for Al ettifaqi camel league.

But if they made it very hard for him to leave maybe the next player mightnt take a chance on the leauge were as now a player might give it a go thinking if its not for me at least i wont be forced to stay somewhere i dont want to be .

In all honesty who gives good luck to him wherever he ends up.

Ajax must be desperate to sign Henderson, oh wait they are. Henderson will not provide anything beneficial on the field but on the bench helping the youth with his experience, maybe. Still I don't see Ajax win anything this season or the next season with him.

He’s a grower is wild

He's 33 at the end of his career, he can do whatever he likes but the fact that the wife was living across the border must have made him decide between his marriage and money

I wonder what he will be trying to grow in Holland , the game ?

Never heard an Englishman pronounce Bahrain properly before. Fair play

Man changes mind. Breaking news.

Danny Murphy : “Jordan Henderson, he’s a grower, not a shower”

At least he gave it his best shot...

Henderson's project is his wallet😂

Money was the, and only motivating factor. Cannot see him regularly starting for Ajax.

Simon actually rebooted for 20 seconds today

Don’t blame him, Holland is a wonderful place.

Im happy it was pointed out McLaren won the league. Not just that, it was the first and only time in the history of FC Twente. The first time an English manager did it abroad in 15 years. For Ajax, yes they are fifth in the league and their season almost is wasted. But they could still qualify for Champions League, coming from 18th that would save their season. Their stadium, facilities and fans are on a higher level than half of the Premier League and they can even match the wages.

I didn't think Henderson had any credibility left to lose. I was so wrong. If Southgate has any plans to include him in the Euros squad he might as well step aside now.

Secretly we all love Ajax, a great club and history which brought forth amazing players like Cruyff, v Basten, Bergkamp, Seedorf, Davids, Overmars, Kluivert, vd Sar, Rijkaard. Yes the ere-devisie is of a lower level but they ain't no push over league either, plus he will prob be playing champions league while living in Amsterdam. Great choice Henderson, all the best!

he was on a reported £350k per week, now taking a 75% wage cut, his pulling in £87,500 at Ajax per week (apparently)

a man realizing his error, own it and trying to correct it…, nothing to be shamed about. A mature move. Besides, having damaged the image of the Saudi Pro League is a positive in my book

One thing that’s always been sure , Jordan loves running

Ajax are very lucky to have someone of Jordans brilliance prepared to further football in the Netherlands whilst at the same time promoting alphabet peoples rights

Hilarious as gerrard was the gaffer

Ajax are a great club. He's very lucky to be able and go to play for them IMO.

None of you have considered one major factor ... As Liverpool capt ,he wouldn't have been able to move anywhere that could put him in a opposing position ... he spends a short time outside Europe , and now he can , without criticism ... And he went somewhere he'd have no issues leaving ...hence not going to US..

You know what else isn’t a good look? Running a football into the ground then criticising other football club owners

Jordan Henderson talks like his 2 braincells are having an argument

Good cameo from Darren Farley at the start

Jordan Henderson should be nowhere near the England starting 11. If he has to move to Ajax to get that then sack Southgate immediately. Watch that spineless guy pick Henderson cus he’s his best mate

Saying the words “playing in 40 degree heat” is a world of difference to playing a full game of football in 40 degree heat. No Australian in their right mind would play a full game in that heat.

The ''project'' my PR told me to say

Wanted a fat check in what he thought would be an easy gig. 2yrs doesn't sound that hard to start with. But he clearly had zero idea of where he was going. It was all about money, which is fair enough in some regards, but his comms around the initial move where very short-sighted & poorly informed. Suspect his family found life in Bahrain significantly different to Liverpool, which is more than reasonable, but a short family trip before signing would have highlighted that. Despite all the money these footballers make, it doesn't make them intelligent, and to add to that he likely surrounded himself with people who say a mega pay day coming.

I genuinely believe Klopp told him he wasn’t a starter and he threw his toys out of the pram. Fairs for getting the bag though 😂😂

Ighalo on Saudi League: We are playing for money, not passion. if only Henderson had listened to Ighalo and not Pendu

He really grew the game out there ....... or was that his bank balance that he grew ......

Fair play Jordan all about the coin fella we'd all do the same

I doubt he would have considered a move away from Saudi if there was no backlash from fans everytime he was picked for England.

That's why hendo don't need money. He is a grower. You probably should not say that on national radio Murphy

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Good luck.

A don't blame him would like to be near the middle East at the moment thinking of his family good man

🤨 He was given a long contract and was one of the highest earners at Liverpool. He would’ve played but he wasn’t guaranteed a spot in the first team. As Milly grew older he accepted this and didn’t throw his toys out of the pram. Now he’s going to Ajax. Probably for less money than he was getting at Liverpool and who knows if he’s guaranteed a game. What a 🐓 up, he’s really screwed. Also, sadly Liverpool will now lose money, as they had a sell on clause.

Does it matter if it doesn't look good...so what it was a mistake...life goes on and good for him and his family.

Muslims were paying him $700K weekly! Insane.

Moving so fast even Benzema wants out at bigger Saudi club?? 😅

Seems some of the players that headed out there for the "project" have realised the project isn't really going anywhere as there just isn't enough people interested in watching it, both in the country or abroad, our non leagues get bigger game attendances than the majority of games & people just aren't watching it online, I don't know anyone who's interested in streaming games, it's a dud & come summer there will be a player exodus from there

The project😂😂😂 yeah right buddy, you mean the money. Mercenary!

McClaren didn't enhance his reputation by going to Holland? He won the league with minnows Fc Twente. That's a big achievement in any currency Simon.

Birmingham city need a midfielder

Hindsight is great . He’s allowed to change his mind. It’s his choice nobody else’s

Why was his family living in Bahrain not Saudi?