Johan Cruijff

hou2use about Johan Cruijff

Unique sustainable artwork of Johan Cruijff (Dutch national team) hand-painted with paint residue on waste wood

Hendrik Johannes (Johan) Cruijff (Amsterdam, April 25, 1947 - Barcelona, March 24, 2016) was a Dutch professional soccer player and soccer coach.

Cruijff is recognized worldwide as one of the best soccer players of all time. In 1999, he was voted European Footballer of the Twentieth Century by the IFFHS. In the IFFHS election of World Footballer of the Twentieth Century, he finished second behind Pelé. The former striker and playmaker was particularly praised for his technique, starting speed, handling speed and game insight. Three times he was voted European soccer player of the year and also won the European Cup I three times, the latter with Ajax, where he was considered the leader and star of the team. In 1974, as captain of the Dutch team, Cruijff reached the final of the World Cup, losing 2-1 to West Germany.

After a 20-year career as a soccer player, during which he played as a professional for clubs in the Netherlands, Spain and the United States, Cruijff turned to coaching in 1985. Without the necessary diplomas, the former player became trainer at Ajax, and with the Amsterdammers he won two KNVB Cups and the European Cup II. After Cruijff resigned from Ajax in early 1988, he became a trainer at his former employer FC Barcelona. There he formed a team that went down in history as the Dream Team. Highlight during his stay at FC Barcelona was winning the European Cup I in 1992. This made Cruijff the third footballer in history to win this tournament both as a player and as a trainer, after Miguel Muñoz and Giovanni Trapattoni. In 1989 with FC Barcelona they had already won the European Cup II and 1992 the European Supercup.