Cruyff must wake up to truth behind Ajax decline

IT’S not that long since Ajax were the best club in the world.

Cruyff must wake up to truth behind Ajax decline
Mon, 04 Apr, 2011 - 01:00
Ken Early

They won big trophies — European Cups in 1971, ’72, ’73 and ’95.

They had great players — Cruyff, Van Basten, Bergkamp, Litmanen. And the founding father of the Ajax myth, Rinus Michels, gave them total football, the distinctive playing style that was the envy of the world.

You have reached your article limit. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Unlimited access starts here.

Try from only €0.25 a day.

Cancel anytime

More in this section

Republic of Ireland Men Training Session Tommy Martin: Why League of Ireland players have freedom to speak loudest in game of political football
Shane O'Donnell and Diarmaid Byrnes 3/5/2026 Jack Anderson: Why concussion means we all need to get our head in the game 
Cork v Kerry - Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final S Kieran Shannon: Provincial football titles have never carried so little value
CourtsSports ColumnistsPlace: De Meer stadiumPlace: Amsterdam ArenAPlace: NetherlandsPlace: EuropePerson: CruyffPerson: Van BastenPerson: BergkampPerson: LitmanenPerson: Rinus MichelsPerson: Edgar DavidsPerson: Patrick KluivertPerson: Rafael van der VaartPerson: Johan CruyffPerson: RussiansPerson: Aiden McGeadyPerson: Danny BlindPerson: Jan Olde RiekerinkPerson: Tony SopranoPerson: Uri CoronelPerson: Wesley SneijderPerson: Van der VaartEvent: Champions LeagueOrganisation: AjaxOrganisation: BosmanOrganisation: ArenaOrganisation: Real MadridOrganisation: RealOrganisation: TottenhamOrganisation: SpursOrganisation: Spartak MoscowOrganisation: SpartakOrganisation: Ajax Cape TownOrganisation: Inter
<p>ALL IN: International trekkers pass through a glacier at the Mount Everest base camp, Nepal. Pic: AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa, file</p>

Colin Sheridan: How Everest turned from the world’s tallest mountain into peak posturing

READ NOW

Sport

Newsletter

Sign up to our daily sports bulletin, delivered straight to your inbox at 5pm. Subscribers also receive an exclusive email from our sports desk editors every Friday evening looking forward to the weekend's sporting action.

Latest

IE Logo

Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

Start Exploring

Sport

Newsletter

Sign up to our daily sports bulletin, delivered straight to your inbox at 5pm. Subscribers also receive an exclusive email from our sports desk editors every Friday evening looking forward to the weekend's sporting action.

Anthony Daly
Anthony Daly

At the heart of the GAA

Most Read

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited