Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45027 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Johan Cruyff stands among the elite in the pantheon of football's greats. Perhaps, only Pelé ever surpassed him. And that is arguable. Ajax Barcelona Cruyff constitutes a collection of interviews with Holland's greatest ever player conducted by Dutch journalists Barend and Van Dorp. Most of the conversations transcribed here touch on the issues which followed Cruyff throughout his successful career as player and coach, both with Ajax of Amsterdam, and Barcelona. The authors refer to Cruyff as an obstinate maestro, an impression certainly evident in the text. However, it is also undeniably clear that under the surface remains a man who cares, with perhaps unparalleled insight into the mechanics of football and of modern footballers themselves. While Cruyff's view of his numerous disputes with coaches, chairmen, players, journalists and just about anyone else willing to argue, are well-aired here, and provide another perspective on an already well-documented career, the most intriguing dialogue deals with tactical matters. This provides elementary reading for anyone thinking about the game today. Few, if any, players have had such an impact on the tactical side of modern football. As the innovator responsible for the total football played thrillingly by the Dutch in the 1970s, Cruyff passes comment on Dutch masters past and present such as Van Basten, Koeman, Rijkaard and Bergkamp. When the interviews turn to Cruyff's own playing systems, the Dutch superstar's comments seem at once revelationary and simplistic. Unintentionally, this superb book could have become as essential as any ever written on football tactics. Meanwhile, it stands as a tour de force in its own right. --Trevor Crowe

Synopsis
Between 1974 and 1997 Frits Barend and Henk van Dorp have conducted numerous interviews with Johan Cruyff, one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. In these extraordinarily candid interviews, Cruyff talks about how he learnt his trade, going on to play football for Barcelona and Ajax, two of the world's greatest club side. He also talks about the philosophy behind 'total football', the driving force behind the great Dutch side of the seventies, and a style of football many top teams attempt to emulate today. Then there was the eight years of success as manager of Barcelona, one of the most stressful jobs in the game, and back to Ajax, where with his emphasis on youth and home-grown talent, he put together another team of fantastic ability.

Customer Reviews

I am disappointed with the book not with Cruyff
I bought the book hoping to find a complete picture of Cruyff. The way he thinks about football in theory, his political views, his recommendations for the younger ones. I could only find glympses of him in the book. When you join or merge various interviews or articles into a book, it does NOT make it a book. I am disappointed with the book but not with the man.

Kneel Before Cruyff
Anyone who thinks they understand the mechanics of football will have to think again having read this book. Cruyff's views on the game and how it should be played approach genius at times; in fact there are times when it is almost comical how much he thinks about football. There are some duller moments dealing with the frankly tiresome politics of Dutch football, but these are amply compensated by Cruyff's fascinating insights. There is also an unintentionally very funny description of a groin injury and a revelation about how Cruyff would deliberately aim for the crossbar that will amaze anyone who has ever kicked a ball. Should be required reading for any football coach.

I've tried twice but gave up each time!
Like the title say's I've tried twice to read this book and I've given up both times.
The style of the book is the complete opposite to the man himself.
It's slow and not very exciting.
Most unlike the man himself.