Johan Cruijff Video Showcase

Hendrik Johannes Cruijff - often spelled Cruyff outside the Netherlands); born April 25, 1947 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch football manager/coach and former player.

He was named European Footballer of the Year three times (1971, 1973, 1974) which is a record jointly held with Michel Platini and Marco van Basten.

Cruijff was the most famous exponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football, developed by Rinus Michels. After his retirement from playing in 1984, Cruijff became highly successful as manager of Ajax and later FC Barcelona; he remains an influential advisor to both clubs. In 1999, Cruijff was voted European Player of the Century in an election held by the IFFHS, and came second, behind Pelé in their World Player of the Century poll.

He came third, behind Pelé and Diego Maradona, in a vote organised by the French weekly magazine France Football consulting their former Ballon d'Or winners to elect their Football Player of the Century.

Source: Wikipedia - Johan Cruijff

Photo author: Maurisico from flickr.com