According to reports from Sky Sports yesterday afternoon, three-time Ballon d’Or winner Johan Cruyff has criticised Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
The retired forward won an incredible eight Eredivise titles and three European Cups during his two spells with Ajax as well as a La Liga title with Barcelona – in the process claiming three Ballon d’Ors in the space of four years between 1971 and 1974.
He turned his hand to management in 1988, guiding the likes of Pep Guardiola, Ronald Koeman, Hristo Stoichkov, Txiki Begiristain, Romario and Gheorghe Hagi to four consecutive La Liga titles and the 1992 European Cup.
So the 68 year-old certainly knows what he’s talking about; which is why his criticisms of Chelsea and Manchester United gaffers Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal will be taken seriously throughout the footballing world.
Cruyff believes the Red Devils are playing the wrong style of football under his countryman at Old Trafford, whilst attributing the Blues manager’s controversial streak to his ‘background’.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said; “I like dominating football. Manchester doesn’t play like that. It’s strange that against strong teams they’ve got good results and with weak teams they’ve had difficulties. That’s a strange situation.
“But the results I think are second. The game is first. Money is very important but always second. In England they play different, everybody has their own style. A mix of styles is always good.
“The most important part are the fans, that people going home are happy. It’s their time off and you should give them something to enjoy.”
Cruyff then turned his attentions to Mourinho, stating; “He’s controversial. What I like about him is he’s always capable of creating good ambiance within the players and what I don’t like is that he always puts himself on the first row. He should be on the second row.
“It’s probably because of his background, where he’s never been cheered by 100,000 people, or whistled at by 100,000 people. Maybe it’s because of that, maybe because of the interest from the press, but I don’t think he is educating children to play football or educating for life. He should behave better because he will be in the press all over the world.”
“With Chelsea I enjoy some individual players, but I think they have better players on the bench than playing,” he added.
Do you agree with Cruyff’s criticisms? Comment below!
Also in the news:
Man United and Bayern in £22m race to sign former Everton youngster
La Liga giants issue hands off warning to Man United over £130m star
MLS eye shock deal for Arsenal and Man United linked Puskas winner
Is this rivalry causing more harm than good at Arsenal and Chelsea
[ad_pod id=’video’ align=’center’]
agree with him on the fact that chelsea has better staff on bench than on field. he should have even added that the loanee list is far better than staff on field.
D guy is so so right, I am a die hard Chelsea fan, love Mourihno to bits, but I think Mourihno should cut Himself to size, He should learn to be humble and talk less, respect d people you work with and stop reprimanding them in public, some excuses are unnecessary……