The Dutch legend has just left Ajax and could be tempted by a move to England- if the offer is right.
Now we’re fully aware Liverpool fans don’t read The Sun, so we’re just filling you in here on a rumour.
The paper report, in the wake of Damien Comolli’s firing yesterday, that the club’s American owners are already making plans for the future.
Comolli had the director of football position, but was made the fall guy for a string of bad purchases, even if many fans would agree manager Kenny Dalglish is at least equally culpable.
As for his replacement, The Sun report that Liverpool could be targeting Johann Cruyff or Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal is currently unemployed after leaving Bayern Munich last year, and often had a tempestuous relationship with the press- known for his ‘blunt’ interviews. Remind you of anyone?
We think Van Gaal working with Dalglish could be too much of a difficult melting pot, they are similar in approach, and Van Gaal would likely prefer to be at the helm as a manager, rather than the limited director of football role.
On the other hand, such a role would suit Johann Cruyff perfectly.
The man associated with bringing Total Football to the masses with Holland, he is revered around the world, and could do wonders for Liverpool.
He has occupied such a role previously with Barcelona, and most recently at Ajax- although a boardroom power struggle has recently seen him ousted from the position.
Liverpool have a worldwide prestigious reputation, and would be one of the few clubs which may appeal to Cruyff.
England would be a new challenge for him, and he could help grassroots development of Liverpool’s academy, and help attract the best players from around the globe.
One negative, would be that ‘directors of football’ have never had much success or longevity in the English game, despite being more common overseas.
Tottenham and Portsmouth are two clubs who have tried and failed to successfully implement it in the past.
However if owner John W Henry and the Fenway Sports Group are determined to go down that route, surely there can be few better men suited for the role than Johann Cruyff- and Comolli’s axing could just have been the first step in bringing him to Anfield.
Would you like to see Cruyff as a Liverpool director of football? Is there any chance of it happening?
image: © Patrick de Laive
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