On behalf of his family, Jordi Cruyff expressed thanks for the tributes to his father, Johan Cruyff, who died of cancer at the age of 68 on Thursday. “It has touched usdeeply that Johan was such an inspiration to many of you,” said Jordi, who played for Manchester United, in a statement. “On behalf of […]
obituary
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Washington Post columnist John Feinstein
“He might’ve been the smartest athlete I ever met. He just had this vision in everything he did, on and off the field.” — Washington Post columnist John Feinstein onthe late Johan Cruyff, whom he covered as a young reporter for the Post in 1980. Feinstein said in decades of covering sports he has never […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
Van der Sar: More than the soccer world will miss Cruyff
Former Dutch star Edwin van der Sar, now Ajax’s marketing manager, said the news of the passing of Johan Cruyff from cancer left the Amsterdam club, where he began his career, in a stateof shock. “News of Johan’s death has hit us hard,” Van der Sar told NOS, “even though we were fully aware that […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
Barcelona mourns Cruyff's passing
The flags at Barcelona’s Camp Nou were placed at half-mast in honor of Johan Cruyff, who died on Thursday. He played and coached Barcelona, helping make it one of the great clubs ofinternational soccer. Said Andres Iniesta he will forever treasure what the Dutchman had done for the club: “I will always remember the influence […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
Beckenbauer: 'Cruyff was a brother to me'
German great Franz Beckenbauer expressed shock at the news of the death of Johan Cruyff. Beckenbauer and Cruyff were opponents in one of the great World Cupfinals, Germany’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands in 1974. “I am shocked. Johan Cruyff is dead. He was not only a very good friend, but also a brother to me,” […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
Johan Cruyff, the soccer philosopher
The late Johan Cruyff was not only a great player and coach, he was also a brilliant philosopher of the game. “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardestthing there is.” “If I start running slightly earlier than someone else, I seem faster.” Here are 12 famous Cruyff lines.
Posted inOff The Post, Story
Johan Cruyff's legacy spans two continents
Americans were just awakening to soccer in the early 1970s. The player they all knew was Pele, by then already retired from international soccer and in the twilight of hiscareer. The player they all watched and copied was Johan Cruyff, who died on Thursday at the age of 68. Watching Cruyff was not easy. He […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
The day Cruyff came to town
By Dan Woog While the soccer world mourns the death of Johan Cruyff — the electrifying, revolutionary player who brought Holland to global prominence, then as a coach laidthe foundation for Barcelona (and Spain’s) enduring influence — Westporters of a certain age recall the day the lithe forward arrived in town. In 1979, a Dutchman […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Ohio Wesleyan mourns freshman Luke Gabbert's death
Luke Gabbert, who had just completed his freshman season at perennial Division III power Ohio Wesleyan, was found dead Saturday morning in a creek near the school campus in Delaware, Ohio. Ohio Wesleyan president Rock Jones advised the school campus of Gabbert’s death in a statement issued on Saturday. He said foul play didn’t appear […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
Former Newcastle Keeper Dies Suddenly
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek on Tuesday died due to cardiac arrest. The 47-year-old had been in an induced coma in the Czech Republic since collapsing while outjogging on Dec. 20, and a decision was taken to take him off life support. The former Czech Republic international collapsed while out running near his home in Ostrava […]