Jordan Henderson admitted he had no idea that Gareth Southgate was coming to Amsterdam to watch his Ajax debut against PSV.
‘I wasn’t aware he (Southgate) was here. I’ve only just found out now,’ Henderson admitted post-match.
‘I don’t know (if he kept it a secret). He might not have wanted to put pressure on me but it’s nice to know that he came to watch. He picked a nice and high-intense game to watch.’
The 33-year-old played in a deeper midfield role and nearly had an instant impact with a lofted through ball to Kenneth Taylor, who failed to convert.
Jordan Henderson had no idea Gareth Southgate watched his debut for Ajax in person
England boss Southgate was joined by close friend Steve Cooper in the stands in Amsterdam
Minutes later, Henderson was involved in the move from which Ajax captain Steven Berghuis gave them the lead, before PSV equalised through Luuk De Jong.
It was the first game for the England midfielder since playing for Al Ettifaq against Al Hazem in Saudi Arabia in December in front of 5,000 fans and his introduction pre-match at the Johan Cruyff Arena was met with the loudest cheer out of any of the Ajax players from a crowd of over 50,000.
‘It felt incredible. It certainly didn’t disappoint, and I loved every second of it,’ said Henderson, who stressed that he was keen to close the book on his controversial six-month stint in Saudi Arabia.
‘I just want to concentrate on Ajax and the future and focus on this new chapter of my career. This was a special night for me to be out there and an amazing game to start with,’ Henderson added. ‘It’s been an incredible first few weeks.
‘I couldn’t have felt more at home if I tried. I’ve settled really well and I feel like I’ve been here such a long time already.’
Henderson (left) was involved in the move that led to Steven Berghuis opening the scoring
After quitting Saudi Arabia, Henderson is keen to close the book on the controversial stint
Such has been the buzz around the Premier League and Champions League-winning captain that since Henderson arrived in Amsterdam just over a fortnight ago, his shirt has become the fastest-selling jersey in Ajax’s history while pillows, bedsheets and towels with Henderson and the No 6 on them have all sold out in the club shop.
Southgate was accompanied by his close friend and former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper for the trip to the Netherlands.
In October, the England boss said he could not understand why England fans booed Henderson during a friendly against Australia at Wembley and in public, he has backed the former Liverpool captain ever since his contentious decision to leave Liverpool for the Middle East.
With questions hanging over whether Henderson still justifies a place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany, he delivered a trademark performance with constant energy in this 90-minute display against Champions League level opposition.
Given the size of PSV’s advantage at the top of the Eredivisie he is unlikely to face a tougher test for the remainder of the season unless Ajax progress in the Europa Conference League.
Henderson, who left Liverpool for Saudi last summer, terminated his three-year contract with Al Ettifaq in January after playing just 17 games in the Saudi Pro League stating that ‘it was very much a football decision.’
