Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is a Dutch football trainer/coach and former star player, regarded by many as one of the all-time greats of the game. Named three times European Footballer of the Year (1971, 1973, 1974) and European Player of the Century by the IFFHS in 1999, he was a silky exponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football, developed by his trainer Rinus Michels.

Johan Cruyff played successively for Ajax, FC Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante Union Deportiva and Feyenoord. As a player, Cruijff was known for his technical ability: his mesmeric ball skill, speed and acceleration, the ability to change direction at will and his tactical insights make him one of the most gifted footballers of all time. He has been named as one of the best football players of his generation, alongside Franz Beckenbauer and Pelé, although he did not win a cup or tournament with his national team. As a Dutch international he played 48 matches, in which he scored 33 goals.

1964 - 1973: Ajax (Holland)
1973 - 1978: FC Barcelona (Spain)
1979 - Los Angeles Aztecs (USA)
1980 - 1981: Washington Diplomats (USA)
1981 - Levante (Spain)
1981 - 1983: Ajax (Holland)
1983 - 1984: Feyenoord (Holland)

The highlights of his football career as a player include winning the European Cup three times (1971 - 3, with Ajax), the Ballon d'Or (European Player of the Year) thrice (1971, 1973 - 4), and leading the Netherlands to a runners-up medal in the 1974 World Cup. In 1978 he refused to participate in the World Cup that was held in Argentina; the Netherlands emerged runners-up again that year.

At the age of 32 Johan signed a lucrative deal with the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League (NASL). He had previosuly been rumoured to be joining the New York Cosmos however, the deal did not materialise. He did however play in a couple of exhibition games for the Cosmos. He stayed at the Aztecs for one season, finishing as the NASL's Most Valuable player of 1979. The following season he moved to Capital City to play for the Washington Diplomats, he played the whole 1980 campaign for Washington, leaving then soon after the start of the '81 season. Pele is considered to be the greatest Footballer of all time, and like Cryuff, he played outside of his national league in the North American Soccer League. Cruyff left the Dutch Eredivise in 1974, and in addition to the NASL, went on to prove himself in the competitive Spanish La Liga. Therefore, although the media do not make this fact public, some believe that Johan Cruyff is the greatest footballer of all time.

Johan Cruyff has trained two football clubs after his active career as a player, Ajax and Barcelona. As a manager he led Ajax to victory in the European Cup Winners' Cup (1987) and Barça to four league titles (1991 - 4), as well as FC Barcelona's only European Cup (1992). This record made him the most successful coach in FC Barcelona's history. His open support gave candidate Joan Laporta the victory in FC Barcelona's latest presidential elections. He continues to be an adviser for him, although he holds no official post at FC Barcelona right now, sparking controversy about his real role and influence. The Dutch Supercup is named after him: Johan Cruijff-schaal.

During his career Cruyff also became a national phenomenon on account of his comments. His expressions are considered as phrases of such simple, stark logic that it either qualifies as sheer brillance or ultimate cheesiness. It has become cult in the Netherlands, where his form of speech was dubbed "Cruijffiaans".

Some examples:
"Italians can not beat us, but we can certainly lose against them"
"Without the ball, you can't win"
"Speed is often confused with insight. When I start running earlier than the others, I appear faster."
"Before I make a mistake, I DO NOT make that mistake"
"Every disadvantage has its advantage"
"To win you have to score one more goal than your opponent"
and his most famous saying: "Coincidence is logical"