Jordi Cruyff, son of Dutch legend Johan, returns to Barcelona in ‘strategic’ football role and is set to work alongside countryman and former Catalans team-mate Ronald Koeman – who is staying for another year at the Camp Nou
- Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan is returning to Barcelona in a ‘strategic’ football role
- Cruyff spent two years as a Catalans player before joining Man United in 1996
- The Dutchman is set to work with countryman and head coach Ronald Koeman
- Cruyff arrives after his manager role at Chinese Super League club Shenzhen
Jordi Cruyff, son of Barcelona legend Johan, is returning to the Catalan club to take up a ‘strategic’ football role.
The 47-year-old, who started his career in the Barcelona academy before making his first-team debut at the Camp Nou in 1994, was the manager of Chinese Super League club Shenzhen.
Jordi’s father Johan not only played for the Catalans but managed them with great success in the 1990s, leading Barcelona to four straight LaLiga titles and the European Cup in 1992.
Jordi Cruyff (centre), son of Johan, is returning to Barcelona in a ‘strategic’ football role
Cruyff is expected to work alongside Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, who is staying as boss
And Jordi will now get the chance to continue his father’s legacy as he works alongside fellow countryman Ronald Koeman at the Camp Nou.
An official statement on the Barcelona website read: ‘Jordi Cruyff, who was a player in Barça’s youth teams and in the Barça first team from 1993 to 1996, returns in a strategic role.
‘His arrival has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the Chinese team, Shenzhen FC, whom he joined as coach in 2020, the Kaisa group and the president of the Chinese team, Kwok Ying Shing.
Jordi (right) spent two years in the Barcelona first-team when his father Johan (left) was boss
‘All played a decisive role in facilitating his departure to FC Barcelona, despite still having a contract in force, and we will therefore be happy to seek future possibilities of collaboration.
Current Barcelona boss Koeman, who is expected to stay on as manager despite failing to win the LaLiga or Champions League titles this season, played under the 1992 Champions League-winning side managed by Jordi’s father.
And the 58-year-old head coach spent one season playing under Johan’s son Jordi in the Barcelona first-team – before joining Feyenoord in 1995.
Koeman is set to fulfill his contract until the summer of 2022, with talisman Lionel Messi set to sign a two-year deal and signings such as Sergio Aguerio, Gini Wijnaldum, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay either already secured or about to be confirmed.
Current Barcelona boss Koeman (left) was part of Johan’s (middle) European Cup-winning side
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona board are set to meet on Thursday to confirm Koeman’s stay at the club.
Cruyff made his Barcelona debut in 1994 and helped them win the Spanish Super Cup that season. He would go on to spend two years playing at the Camp Nou before joining Manchester United for £1.4million in 1996.
The Dutchman was used sparingly by Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford before moving back to Spain where he played for Celta Vigo, Deportivo Alaves and Espanyol.
Jordi Cruyff (right) has had several director of football roles throughout his coaching career
He retired after brief speels at Metalurh Donetsk in Ukraine and Maltese side Valletta, where he quickly stepped into coaching and management.
He was a player-assistant at Valletta before taking up sporting director roles at AEK Larnaca and Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he would go on to become manager.
In recent years, Cruff has had roles with Chinese side Chongqing Liangjiang and the Ecuadorian national team.
His father Johan was a legend for Ajax and Barcelona as both a player and a manager before passing away in March 2016.
