For me, he's the greatest manager of all time.
In English football we've had several true greats, to name just a few; Shankly, Paisley, Clough, Wenger and by far the best of the lot Alex Ferguson but I don't think any have had or will have the effect Johan Cruyff has on Barcelona and football in general.
Managers are usually judged on their trophy count alone and rightly so in many circumstances but there comes a time to step back and realise the true impact of a man(ager).
Johan Cruyff brought more than just success to Barcelona during his time managing the club. He transformed the ethos all the way down to youth level. It's not just Barcelona who have become the dominant force of World football with Cruyff's philosophy it's also the Spanish national team - in truth his influence is spreading and is the inspiration for an endless number of aspiring managers.
The man has set in motion a whole new era of football, one that doesn't just bring entertainment but brings success, a focus on youth development and continuity within a club/national side and that may even help save football from becoming nothing more than a billionaires play pen.
Take a bow, Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff
posted on 20/1/13
Don't worry your pretty little head FTS
no one expects you to understand
posted on 20/1/13
Very well put RedBlackandWhiteside
I agree in many ways but what you've alluded to is what sets Cruyff apart IMO.
Managers such as Busby, Ferguson and Shankly changed their clubs in ways unrivaled by the peers but Cruyff (for me anyway) is changing/has changed football as we know it - that's the difference.
posted on 20/1/13
Rinus michels deserves a mention. The man that brought total football to the world.
posted on 20/1/13
Bossman
I saw a program ages ago on the origins of total football. There was also an Englishman involved, think he was an ex Arsenal manager... you ever heard anything about this?
posted on 20/1/13
It wasn't Cruyff's philosophy, it was Rinus Michels' who implemented it with Ajax during the late 60s and 70s. Michels is the true master, as well as laying the foundations for Ajax and Cruyff he also won the Euros as manager with Holland in the 80s.
posted on 20/1/13
Btw Cruyff also said on Ivra that he's a brilliant footballer with awful technique. Now that makes no sense to me?
posted on 20/1/13
*ibrahimovic.
posted on 20/1/13
Long dong silver
There certainly was an English man involved in the concept of total football. Ill have to go through my football history to think of his name.
Total football is the only way to play the game, and Johan Cruyff us the ultimate football blueprint on how a football man can progress the whole sport.
It's the only way.
posted on 20/1/13
It wasn't Cruyff's philosophy, it was Rinus Michels' who implemented it with Ajax during the late 60s and 70s. Michels is the true master
**
Im not really talking about the style of play i.e. Total...I'm talking about creating the DNA of the club. As soon as Barca got a voice after Franco, Nunez with Cryuff created a Catalonian Barca with the emphasis on local youth and self-sufficiency and flying the red and yellow flag, by creating the Farmhouse....such as Busby did with The Babes and Fergie did with his fledglings. Only players dedicated to playing for Barca and the cause were considered (like Fergie does at United) and the money mercenaries who were or got too big for their boots were shunned or shown the door. It is a victory for Catalonia that the Spanish national side depends greatly on the players nurtured out of the Masia.
No one single person can be ever bigger than the club.
posted on 20/1/13
....“He is a great goalscorer. But a poor footballer.”
True.