Anyone who had the pleasure of watching him play in the 70's will know just what an immensely talented and gifted player he was - not a shabby coach either. Sad loss. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35892775
Great player and came across as a fairly decent bloke. "I find it terrible when talents are rejected based on computer stats. Based on the criteria at Ajax now I would have been rejected. When I was 15, I couldn’t kick a ball 15 meters with my left and maybe 20 with my right. My qualities technique and vision, are not detectable by a computer." “You play football with your head, and your legs are there to help you.” I think we got the wrong dutchman! RIP
More Cruyff quotes - On himself: "In a way, I'm probably immortal." "If I wanted you to understand it all, I would have explained it better." "Actually, I never make a mistake, because it takes a huge effort for me to make a mistake." "I don't believe in God. In Spain, all 22 players cross themselves. If it works, the game is always going to be a tie." On football and his philosophy: "Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is." "Italians can't win the game against you, but you can lose the game against the Italians." "Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring." "It's better to go down with your own vision than with someone else's." "In my teams, the goalie is the first attacker and the striker the first defender." "There is only one ball, so you need to have it." "Why couldn't you beat a richer club? I've never seen a bag of money score a goal."
He was definitely a highly philosophical man. A man like him would have succeeded in any field he chose, I think.
