Man City Square
Fansided

Pep Guardiola: Playing the Cruyff way

By Jason Bardwell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions as Mikel Arteta, Manchester City coach looks on during the Manchester City Training Session at the Etihad Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions as Mikel Arteta, Manchester City coach looks on during the Manchester City Training Session at the Etihad Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

It has been no secret that Pep Guardiola owes everything to the late, great Johan Cruyff. He has said so himself that he wouldn’t be where he is now had it not been for the Dutchman. Talking after his death, last year, Guardiola spoke of Cruyff in glowing terms stating ‘I knew nothing of football until I met Cruyff’.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Wim Jonk (L), Cruyff Football CEO talks with Jordi Cruyff, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Head Coach during day 1 of the Soccerex Global Convention at Manchester Central Convention Complex on September 4, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Soccerex)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Wim Jonk (L), Cruyff Football CEO talks with Jordi Cruyff, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Head Coach during day 1 of the Soccerex Global Convention at Manchester Central Convention Complex on September 4, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Soccerex) /

Held in Manchester this September I finally got to see a video from the Soccerex Global convention. Ex Ajax, Inter and Dutch National side, Wim Jonk, now CEO of Cruyff Football, was joined by Johan’s son, Jordi.

Take away the fact he played for United, the son of Johan had much insight into what Cruyff football was all about. Including a thought on an attendees thinly veiled critique of Manchester City’s use of their academy.

Now in charge of Tel-Aviv, Jordi is trying to implement his fathers philosophy, something he admitted, takes time. Joining the club five years ago, as a technical director, the side won three league titles. They have also qualified for both the Champions League and Europa League group stages in that time. Although, currently, are struggling in their Group, and third in their domestic league.