Remembering Johan Cruyff

Remembering Johan Cruyff

By William Feldman

This morning, I awoke to news that I had hoped I wouldn’t receive for many more years. Footballing legend, and my personal all-time favorite, Johan Cruyff, has passed away from cancer at the age of 68. It was reported that he passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Firstly, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Dutch football community, the Ajax community, and the FC Barcelona community. Cruyff’s contributions to these communities, both on and off the pitch, are both incredible and enduring. As both a player and as a manager, Johan Cruyff had a massive impact on, not only his team, but the sport as a whole.

Cruyff was born in Amsterdam on April 25th, 1947. He grew up minutes from De Meer Stadion, AFC kAjax’s home pitch, and developed within the Ajax youth system. He made his senior team debut at the age of 17 in which he also scored his first professional goal. This set the tone for the rest of his career. By the 1970’s he had helped turn Ajax and the Dutch national team into the premier sides of the time. Ajax won the European cup three years in a row (1970-1973) and he individually won the Ballon D’Or twice during that stretch. Ajax dominated Dutch football with Cruyff, during his eight seasons as a first team regular they won the Eredivisie eight times and the KNVB Cup four times. In 1973 he was sold to the Spanish side FC Barcelona. His most famous moments as a player in Catalonia took place in his first season there. They famously beat Barcelona’s arch rival Real Madrid 5-0 en route to winning la liga and Cruyff winning his third Ballon D’Or. Cruyff’s stint at Blaugrana ended in 1978 which saw him float from team to team until his final retirement as a player in 1984. He was also a phenomenal player at the international level, scoring 33 goals in 48 appearances for Oranje and leading them to a 2nd place finish in the 1974 world cup.

Cruyff did not stay away from the sport he loved for long, returning to his hometown team, Ajax, as a manager in 1985. While only managing de Godenzonen until 1987, he laid the tactical foundations that helped Ajax win the champions league in 1995. He also managed Barcelona from 1988-1996. During his tenure they won the champions league in 1992 and we’re runner ups in 1994. He left an enduring legacy at the clubs he managed. One of Barcelona’s most famous managers, Pep Guardiola, said, “Johan Cruyff painted the chapel, and Barcelona coaches since merely restore or improve it” (Pep Guardiola).

What makes Cruyff different than the other legend of football is the way in which he has reshaped the game. Along with his Ajax manager Rinus Michels, Cruyff helped form the totaalvoetbal (total football) system. To fully understand the impact of total football and Johan Cruyff, read the Bleacher Report long form, The Church of Cruyff.

Johan Cruyff is attributed with many brilliant quotes, such as, “If I wanted you to understand it, I would have explained it better” and, “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.” However, none of his quotes may be more accurate than when he said, “In a way, I’m probably immortal”. Johan Cruyff, and his contributions to football, will live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who love the sport.

Works Cited
IFHOF. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ifhof.com/hof/cruyff.asp>.
“Johan Cruyff: Netherlands Great Dies of Cancer Aged 68.” BBC Sport. N.p., 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
“Johan Cruyff: The Barcelona and Netherlands Legend in Quotes.” Sky Sports. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11827/10216638/johan-cruyff-in-quotes>.
Lang, Jack. “Johan Cruyff in 12 Brilliant Quotes.” The Mirror. N.p., 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016. <http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/12-brilliant-johan-cruyff-quotes-7621706>.
Winner, David. “The Church of Cruyff.” Bleacher Report. N.p., 8 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016. <http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/the-church-of-cruyff/>.