JOHAN CRUYFF // 40-47 YANN SOMMER

The Grandfather of Football and So Much More

ootball is wonderful, isn’t it? An uncomplicated game that has developed its own nuances in culture and style both on and off the pitch. Now, I’m a man of simple pleasures in life, and watching 22 people kick a ball around a big rectangle of grass is right up there alongside good coffee and vinyl. But that simple nature of football has grown and matured since its inception, exploding exponentially over the past 50-odd years.

The growth of the modern games’ rise to its current heights can be encapsulated by one man who touched all corners of the pitch and beyond. Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and so many more credit him with developing the blueprint of modern football. This man is Johan Cruyff: a three time Ballon d’Or winner in 1971, 1973 and 1974; the lynchpin of Rinus Michels’ Total Football system; the European Player of the century; and, at one point, the world’s most expensive player.

I’ve always found it criminal that I have to remind people about this spectacular Dutchman. Football conversation doesn’t spare time for him and his Netherland’s side and neither, actually, does pop culture chatter. A ridiculous feat considering the cultural impact of this team on the country, heralded as equivable to The Beatles’ turn for English music. Cruyff himself Lennon, with the accompanying number 14, orange jersey as iconic as those round glasses.

CRUYFF: ON THE PITCH

Not only was he a genius, but a trailblazer. He made small, yet highly influential changes from the very start of his career, such as donning a different number in his electric comeback against PSV. That aforementioned iconic 14 on his back as he assisted Ajax in winning 1–0.

Now, I see you sitting there shrugging. “Why is this so important? Squad numbers are a thing, Louis,” and you’d be right. They are ‘now’. It hasn’t always been this way. In fact, when Cruyff was starting out, your starters were endowed with numbers 1 to 11. Cruyff donning the 14 made it his own, made him unique; and when he took Ajax to the top in 1972, gathering three European Cups under his belt, this individual number 14 became the best in the world.

Cruyff was also a man of principle. When the Ajax hierarchy, disagreeing with him, tried to sell him to Real Madrid for a world-record fee, Cruyff refused on the grounds that he “couldn’t join a club associated with [dictator] Franco.”

Ultimately, he moved to Barcelona in a move valued at $2m in 1973 (around $13.4m today). It’s always these images of Cruyff that tickle the nostalgia in me, standing staring into the middle distance in the glorious, era-defining Meyba kit, with messy hair that perfectly encapsulates the 1970s. Freedom, art and expression had returned with Spanish democracy and Cruyff’s football became a power metaphor that instilled him in Catalan hearts.

And, of course then, at Barcelona, Cruyff played a pivotal role, dismantling Real Madrid 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, leading them to their first title in 14 years. A huge moment for the Catalan side, thousands of Barcelona fans poured onto the streets to join the huge celebrations, with one New York Times reporter claiming that “Cruyff had done more for the spirit of the Catalan people in 90 minutes than many politicians in years of struggle,” garnering the nickname, "El Salvador.”

That year, as well, saw Cruyff and that Dutch side power through the 1974 World Cup, simply tearing teams apart right up until the final. His self-confidence and artistic flair were there for the world to see in a group stage game, debuting that most famous of turns. Poetry in motion, one could say, a simple little twist of the body dumbfounded defenders. I often compare it to my Great Aunt’s cooking; sometimes, there’s an elegance in simplicity. The Cruyff Turn was born. Though the Dutch failed to surpass a West German side led by Frans Beckenbauer, their stylistic qualities and poetic beauty have loomed large in the collective consciousness of footballing fans since.

After this tournament, Cruyff continued playing, until briefly retiring in 1978 before returning to play in the United States. He credits this time for his understanding of football business, sponsorship and marketing. Shortly after, he returned to Spain with Levante, and then eventually the Netherlands with boyhood club Ajax. After a dispute with Ajax over a new contract, Cruyff joined their bitter rivals, Feyernhood, and worked, with an uncompromising level of spite, to achieve them the silverware. An admirable pettiness, similar to myself when throwing my brother in a pond, aged 8, after he took the last of the Jaffacakes.

CRUYFF: OFF THE PITCH

But as much as he can be credited for some dazzling displays on the pitch, it can be argued that it was his actions off the green that laid the foundations for modern football.

In the 1985/86 season, Cruyff returned to Ajax as a manager, delivering success in the European Cup Winners Cup, though they may have, ultimately, lost to PSV, they racked up an impressive 120 goals. He also led Ajax to KNVB Cup victory that same season, and the following.

Ajax philosophy developed then, and the components of it spread across Europe. Players Cruyff managed, such as Rjikaard and Berkgamp took the DNA of Ajax’s new philosophy and coached their own teams to success. Some played in the ’95 Champions League Final employing his style, tactics, and formation.

Meanwhile, in Barcelona, President Josep Lluis Nunez sacked almost half the players

and coach, coaxing Cruyff from Ajax to take over. Soon, his revolution of the team began.

‘El Salvador’ returned and led the club into a golden age, bringing in legendary players such as Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup, Romário, Gheorghe Hagi, and Hristo Stoichkov. These players formed the ‘Dream Team,’ where Cruyff quickly employed the style of free-flowing football that he, himself, embodied on the pitch and then encouraged at Ajax. This then went on to form the basis of Barcelona’s Tiki-taka style.

The Dream Team went on to win one European Cup, four La Liga Championships (three of which were in a row), one Cup Winners' Cup, one Copa del Rey; and four Supercopa de España. Cruyff became the club’s longest serving manager and most decorated until his student and protege, Pep Guardiola surpassed him, who still credited him with the club’s success during his tenure:

“Johan Cruyff painted the chapel. Barcelona coaches since merely restore or improve it.”

After a trophiless two years at the end of his tenure though, Cruyff was relieved of his duties. He went on to take advisory roles at Ajax, and, unofficially, to the Barcelona President Joan Laporta. Cruyff’s footballing influence remained, with Rijkaard and Guardiola leading his school of thought.

I still remember the day he passed away vividly.

My phone buzzed, the notification popped up, and my heart jumped into my mouth. It had only been a few days before that I’d sat with my dad at our usual post matchday haunt and he’d been telling me about the Dutchman’s impact on football. Now my old man gets very animated talking about history and football, and I understand why with Johan Cruyff. His influence on the game is incomparable. A man of principle, fearless in the face of Franco, stylish, and an artisanal beauty playing football. The Grandfather of Football.

Bedankt, gracias, and thank you, Johan.