- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; New edition edition (18 Feb 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747543054
- ISBN-13: 978-0747543053
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
256,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > Clubs > Ajax
- #11 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > Clubs > Barcelona
- #82 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > European > European Leagues
| ||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £4.70
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in Ajax, Barcelona, Cruyff for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £4.70, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Johan Cruyff stands among the elite in the pantheon of football's greats. Perhaps, only Pelé ever surpassed him. And that is arguable. Ajax Barcelona Cruyff constitutes a collection of interviews with Holland's greatest ever player conducted by Dutch journalists Barend and Van Dorp. Most of the conversations transcribed here touch on the issues which followed Cruyff throughout his successful career as player and coach, both with Ajax of Amsterdam, and Barcelona. The authors refer to Cruyff as an obstinate maestro, an impression certainly evident in the text. However, it is also undeniably clear that under the surface remains a man who cares, with perhaps unparalleled insight into the mechanics of football and of modern footballers themselves. While Cruyff's view of his numerous disputes with coaches, chairmen, players, journalists and just about anyone else willing to argue, are well-aired here, and provide another perspective on an already well-documented career, the most intriguing dialogue deals with tactical matters. This provides elementary reading for anyone thinking about the game today. Few, if any, players have had such an impact on the tactical side of modern football. As the innovator responsible for the total football played thrillingly by the Dutch in the 1970s, Cruyff passes comment on Dutch masters past and present such as Van Basten, Koeman, Rijkaard and Bergkamp. When the interviews turn to Cruyff's own playing systems, the Dutch superstar's comments seem at once revelationary and simplistic. Unintentionally, this superb book could have become as essential as any ever written on football tactics. Meanwhile, it stands as a tour de force in its own right. --Trevor Crowe
Product Description
Between 1974 and 1997 Frits Barend and Henk van Dorp have conducted numerous interviews with Johan Cruyff, one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. In these extraordinarily candid interviews, Cruyff talks about how he learnt his trade, going on to play football for Barcelona and Ajax, two of the world's greatest club side. He also talks about the philosophy behind 'total football', the driving force behind the great Dutch side of the seventies, and a style of football many top teams attempt to emulate today. Then there was the eight years of success as manager of Barcelona, one of the most stressful jobs in the game, and back to Ajax, where with his emphasis on youth and home-grown talent, he put together another team of fantastic ability.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is little more than a collection of interviews with Cryuff by two Dutch journallists over a period of some 30 years, but a fascinating character emerges. When Cryuff speaks in English (as last seen at Euro 2000) he appears to be a very enthusiatic expert in the game: in Dutch (translated here, thank God!) he comes across as by turns philosopher, coach, cynic, family man and occassionally a real grumpy, old git.
His insights into football (especially as manager of the great Barcelona side centre round Koemans) are enlightening. His pieces as a player give a flavour of a different era that seems almost as far away now as that of Stanley Matthews - did players really play in finals with injuries?
Scarely less controversial than Brian Clough, but technically more perfect. I thought I'd just read through each interview now and then but I ended up devouring it in one sitting. A good read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anyone who thinks they understand the mechanics of football will have to think again having read this book. Cruyff's views on the game and how it should be played approach genius at times; in fact there are times when it is almost comical how much he thinks about football. There are some duller moments dealing with the frankly tiresome politics of Dutch football, but these are amply compensated by Cruyff's fascinating insights. There is also an unintentionally very funny description of a groin injury and a revelation about how Cruyff would deliberately aim for the crossbar that will amaze anyone who has ever kicked a ball. Should be required reading for any football coach.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is fantastic for any body who plays footie or is interested in the game itself. It is so enlightening as to the reason cryuff was so great not only did he have skill but he had tactical acumen too. It shows a young player that the key to being a good footballer is not just how fast u can run, dribble or how many kick ups u can do but also understanding the game with its ebbs and flows and everything else. If you have even a hint of what i'm saying its the book for you!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Perfection
The ultimate review for any individual looking to be involved with football at all levels and perspectives. Read more
Published 7 months ago by hajduk
I am disappointed with the book not with Cruyff
I bought the book hoping to find a complete picture of Cruyff. The way he thinks about football in theory, his political views, his recommendations for the younger ones. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2008 by Ogun Eratalay
I've tried twice but gave up each time!
Like the title say's I've tried twice to read this book and I've given up both times.
The style of the book is the complete opposite to the man himself. Read more
The style of the book is the complete opposite to the man himself. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2003 by "lomee"
Johan Cruyff in his own words, brilliant!
An insight into the mind of a true footballing genius, this book takes you through all the ups and downs in the career of one of the greatest players ever to play football, and... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2001
At Last!
Holland produces more than it's quota of outstanding footballers. There is general recognition of this but with the exception of a 30 minute documentary with Gary Lineker it it... Read more
Published on 21 April 2000
So close and yet so far
Not a bad book and I have been pleasantly educated and converted to Cryuff's mantra of total football. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 1999 by P. J. Krishnan
Fascinating - what was said; intriguing - the as yet unsaid!
The ideal book on a football manager's life might be split into two (halves) or three parts, the first containing 4 chapters, the second also 4 and the third 2. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 1999
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Sport > Football
- Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > Clubs > Ajax
- Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > Clubs > Barcelona
- Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > European
- Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > Leagues > European Leagues
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
