Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff passed away at age 68 on the 24th of March.
“In a way I’m probably immortal.”
Few people can ever say words like these with true meaning. Leaving a proper mark on history, especially in football where names can so quickly come into the spotlight only to be forgotten, is an achievement reached by a handful of individuals.
Cruyff, who died peacefully in Barcelona after battling cancer, was one of these select elite of the world game. Praised by many of his peers and football observers as one of the sport’s most influential figures, the assassin-like playmaker heralded the golden years of Ajax’s European dominance and the ‘Total Football’ style which came so close to winning the World Cup in 1974.
As with many of Holland’s footballing stars, Cruyff began his career by rising through the Ajax ranks, beginning at the age of 10 in 1957 to become arguably the club’s most influential figure. Scoring at a scorching rate, his 25 goals in 23 appearances during the 1965-66 season would lead the Amsterdam side to the first of six straight Eredivisie titles (1966-1973), many coupled with consecutive KNVB cups from 1967-1972. At the height of this reign he would receive his first Balon d’Or in 1971.
Recording 190 goals in his initial stint with Ajax, Cruyff would make the move to Spanish giants Barcelona in 1973 for the approximate sum of $2 million USD (six million guilders at the time). The Dutchman would help the Catalans to their first La Liga championship in over a decade and add to the highlight reels of history with Le but impossible de Cruyff (Cruyff’s impossible goal) against Atletico Madrid. He would again be named European footballer of the year in 1973 and 1974.
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And it was in during that latter year where his star was set to shine brightest. The 1974 World Cup in West Germany would see the Netherlands side, led by Cruyff, revolutionise the game with their ‘Total Football’ tactics. Taking the players from static pawns which filled one role to dynamic creative influences, the Dutch team would cruise past the likes of East Germany, Argentina and Brazil before meeting the hosts in the final. In what still may be the closest of their three runners-up finishes, the Oranje would score before West Germany had even touched the ball, only to be overturned late in a 2-1 defeat. Cruyff was named player of the tournament with three goals to his name.
He would retire from international competition before the next World Cup in 1977, under circumstances that have since been attributed in interviews due to death threats, however, he would go onto be apart of the Copa Del Rey winning Barcelona side in 1978, while also taking out another two Eredivisie titles when returning to Ajax in 1981 and then also doing the Dutch double with Feyenoord in 1983-84.
After fully hanging up his boots, Cruyff would immediately move to the managerial helm of Ajax in 1985. His style here would see the early implementation of what we now see as the 4-2-3-1 formation, where holding-midfielders would link-up for the likes of Dennis Bergkamp to create opportunities for Marco van Basten. His side would win KNVB cups in 1986 and 1987, yet would not take out the top-league honours.
Higher managerial success would then be reached with a return to Barcelona as manger in 1988. Constructing an amazing list of talent which included Romario, Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrop, Guillermo Amor and Pep Guardiola, Cruyff’s Blaugrana would win four straight La Liga championships from 1991-1994, a Copa Del Rey in 1990, the 1991-92 Champions League and the 1992 UEFA Super Cup.
It was also while coaching Barcelona in 1991 when he would undergo open heat surgery. A heavy cigarette smoker at the best of times, he would take to lollipops as a means of dealing with the sideline hysteria.
After leaving the Camp Nou, a 13 year hiatus from coaching ended with a spell as the head of the Catalan national team and a brief return to Ajax. Cruyff’s legacy clearly goes beyond any of the club’s he played or single managerial job, however, with many of those we now consider the world’s best having been directly influenced by the Dutchman’s groundbreaking style.
Since his passing surrounded by family in the Catalan city where he was such an icon, tributes that illustrate his impact on the world footballing legacy have come in high volume.
Deeply saddened by the death of my best coach and good friend. Thanks for everything. Forever in our heart. pic.twitter.com/DnMWxydiAn
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) March 24, 2016
It is with great sadness that we've learnt of the death of Johan #Cruyff. Words cannot express the loss we feel. #14 pic.twitter.com/mt7XAM9GLE
— KNVB (@KNVB) March 24, 2016
The '14' will never be the same. RIP Johan Cruyff. pic.twitter.com/OZxbF4Z0kO
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 24, 2016
Goodbye to one of the all-time legends of football. Player and coach ahead of his time. RIP Johan Cruyff.
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) March 24, 2016
The end of an era provides opportunity to reflect on a peak era of Netherlands football and a man who evolved the game into what we know today.
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