Jordi Cruyff to leave Barcelona at end of season after key role in recent success

Barcelona’s sporting director Jordi Cruyff will leave the club on June 30. The former footballer turned coach, manager and sporting director doesn’t have anything else lined up. He feels that he’s done his job over two years, helped rebuild Barcelona into a title-winning team, and that it’s time for something else.

Cruyff told Barcelona president Joan Laporta of his decision on Tuesday morning. Barca wanted Cruyff, 49, to stay after his good work in helping rebuild the side which has just won La Liga for the first time in four years.

The Dutchman was instrumental in bringing in several players, notably Andreas Christensen from Chelsea on a free transfer. He did the diligence himself, calling contacts in Denmark to check on the players’ personality and professionalism. The Dane has been a success alongside Ronald Araujo and Barcelona have by far the best defence in La Liga this season.

Cruyff wanted Barcelona to be more physical and intense, and sought out players with Premier League experience; Raphinha, chosen ahead of Antony from Ajax, was brought in from Leeds United.

With Barcelona needing to cut costs, Cruyff had to be creative with limited funds. He had worked this way in Israel, which was where he spotted a young Dutch coach who had been working as an assistant at FC Twente. Erik Ten Hag ended up joining Bayern Munich as reserve team manager.

At Barcelona, loan deals became a necessity amid a financial meltdown created by past profligacies. Cruyff oversaw the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore in 2022. One was Catalan, one had family who lived near Barcelona. He also mediated when Barca felt that Ousmane Dembele was going to leave the club. Cruyff spoke to the French winger and established