Where De Telegraaf reported two months ago that the way was open for further talks between Jordi Cruijff and Ajax, Johan Cruijff’s son does not seem to rule out a return definitively. Although the former Ajax youth player now seems to be in a good place in Barcelona. “I’m enjoying myself here, but Ajax is of course a special club”, the director of international scouting of Barcelona said on Sunday in conversation with the club. NOS†
Cruijff is well on his way to a new position at the Camp Nou. Where he currently works at Barcelona as director of international scouting and also provides chairman Joan Laporta with advice, the Catalan club Cruijff wants to make a technical secretary, the Spanish newspapers reported. Sport and Mundo Deportivo† In that position, the former player of Barcelona and Manchester United, among others, would become one of the most important persons in the technical field at Barcelona. Cruijff does not seem to be returning to Ajax this summer due to his approaching promotion, but he still has a hand when asked about this. “Ajax is of course a special club, that’s clear.”
Jordi Cruijff is not thinking about a position at Ajax for the time being.
“There is always a warm bond, but I’m here now. Sometimes it’s a matter of timing. Barcelona has already called this before. But then I had just signed in China and I couldn’t leave”, says Cruijff that there are several factors involved in a transfer to another club. For example, a return to Barcelona had been beckoning for a number of years for the former international of the Dutch national team, but it was always just not the right time. Until last summer. “I’ve had conversations with Barcelona almost every year for the last four or five years. Only, sometimes you have to get the right feeling. That you think: this is the time† Cruijff came in at a time when the club was in dire straits, as the debt at that time had risen to 1.3 billion euros. “I’m enjoying myself here, but of course it’s not an easy situation,” said the 48-year-old director.
Due to the strict rules of LaLiga, the Spanish league, Barcelona had to lower the salary ceiling from 382 to 98 million euros. “These rules are much stricter than the European ones. That is very complicated to understand. I also spent a few hours with specialists to understand the concept exactly.” Barcelona saw Lionel Messi leave, and can no longer sign just any player. “The ideal situation of five years ago, where you could just buy the two best players, that is now very difficult,” Cruijff explains the current financial situation of Barcelona. “You can’t really think of a five-year plan. You have to look at how you can already make the selection strong for next season. If you don’t have money, you don’t always end up in ideal situations.”
Still, Cruijff sees opportunities at the Spanish top club, as players still want to play for the superpower, even though Barcelona can offer less than before. “Everyone knows it will be a financial sacrifice, but players are still very eager to come here. You notice that even players who are at clubs where the chance of winning Champions League is greater still want to come to us. That is very special.” Cruijff, who previously worked in China, Malta and Cyprus, emphasizes that he is not looking far ahead with Barcelona for the time being. “You don’t already plan what you will get next year. We can’t.”