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Cruijff quits Ajax as advisor

Xinhua, November 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Five years after the start of his so-called "revolution", Johan Cruijff stopped as advisor of Dutch soccer club Ajax, the club legend expressed on Monday in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Cruijff, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer last month, stated his dissatisfaction with the implementation of the so-called "Plan Cruijff".

"For years, I have noted that the core of my vision is not carried out at Ajax," the 68-year-old former player told in his column in De Telegraaf.

Reacting to the weak performances of Ajax in the Champions League Cruijff called for radical changes within the club in September 2010. He wanted to see more former players working as trainers, coaches, managers and directors. One of the goals of the "revolution" of Cruijff was to develop the best youth academy in the world and to get closer to the European top.

After coach Martin Jol was replaced by former player Frank de Boer in December that year Ajax became champions four times in row. However, the results in Europe remained weak and there also was criticism on the boring style of play.

Outside the pitch the atmosphere at Ajax was anything but clear and calm. One of the low points was the appointment of Louis van Gaal as general director by four members of the supervisory board in 2011. The decision was taken without the consent of the fifth member, at that time Cruijff, long-time rival of Van Gaal, and was ultimately disapproved by the court.

A so-called technical heart, or center, was established to ensure that Ajax would make further steps on the field. This board consisted of the director of football affairs Marc Overmars, the head of youth development Wim Jonk, head coach Frank de Boer and assistant coach Dennis Bergkamp, all former players, according to Cruijff's wishes.

Major communication problems and different visions led to problems within the technical heart in 2015. Jonk refused to talk to the other members for a year, because he wanted to see a clear division of responsibilities first. He felt a loner as representative of the youth, opposed to the others representing the interests of the first team. The main difference in vision: Jonk wanted less signings and more room for youth players.

To solve the problems and to get all technical heart members back to the table former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who is supposed to be the next general manager, was appointed chairman of the technical heart in September, but this didn't change the broken relationship between Jonk and the others.

Last week Ajax announced the intention to terminate the collaboration with Jonk. There is, according to the Ajax board, a irreconcilable disagreement. Jonk afterwards announced to challenge his departure, maybe in court, and went to work as always.

On Monday Cruijff expressed his support for Jonk and quit as an adviser. His mission has failed. He leaves the club in chaos and far away from the European top. Endit