Some Ajax-prominents have reacted with joy to the news that Ajax has ended up with Jordi Cruijff in the search for a successor for Marc Overmars. Joan Laporta’s advisor is to become the new director of football affairs at the team from Amsterdam. If it is up to Sjaak Swart, he will do it together with Frank Rijkaard, he tells The Telegraph† The newspaper was able to report on Monday that Cruijff would not have said ‘no’ in advance, leaving the way open for further talks.
“It is very difficult to find a successor for Marc Overmars,” says Swart. “Jordi’s father was the best, but I would also very much welcome him. Jordi has been a technical director and trainer since 2010 and has done well at his clubs. He is a good person, a personality and has a beautiful name . I saw him being born.” Jordi Cruijff currently has an important voice in the purchase policy at Barcelona, but not an all-important one. The former international comes hierarchically under technical director Mateu Alemany and vice president Rafa Yuste
“If he does it together with Frank Rijkaard, that would be fantastic”, Swart continues. “Johan has given Frank the opportunity to become a coach of Barcelona. How nice would it be if Frank now assists Jordi – in the spirit of Johan – in the background?” Before Cruijff wants to speak with Ajax, he wants to marca clarity about Barcelona’s plans. In Amsterdam, as director of football affairs, he would have a more influential role than he has on paper in the Camp Nou. Cruijff signed for one season last summer and has not yet spoken with Barcelona about a possible extension of the agreement.
According to Michael van Praag, who was chairman of Ajax between 1989 and 2003, Cruijff is a ‘child of the club’. “He knows the culture and the standards and values of Ajax,” said the honorary member of the KNVB. “He knows what his father had in mind with Ajax, which you can still see in Ajax. I have too little knowledge of football technology. That is why I cannot judge whether he would be suitable for it at that point. I’ll let that be decided. to others. And I have been very careful not to interfere in the policy of the club since I left.”
Keje Molenaar would also be a great supporter of Cruijff’s arrival. The two-time the Dutch international was also mentioned as a possible successor to Overmars, but does not seem to be the most important candidate. “My heart jumped when I read that Jordi was polled,” says Molenaar. “A return of Marc Overmars is out of the question, I’m afraid. If Jordi is the first choice of the commissioners, they must act quickly. Ajax cannot afford to sit back. If Jordi says ‘yes’, he must as the weeder get to work. Johan would be proud. Then the circle is complete.”