While Deco may have arrived at FC Barcelona as their new Sporting Director, the position in question was previously held by another former player of La Blaugrana’s for almost two years. The former player in question is none other than Jordi Cruyff, son of Barcelona legend and Netherlands hero Johan Cruyff.
Having been in office since 2021 and only have recently left his position in 2023, the 49-year-old was met with new offers not too long after, according to Spanish outlet SPORT, with one of the more prominent ones having come from the English Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur reportedly contacted Jordi Cruyff as soon as he had left FC Barcelona to offer him the position of Sporting Director and explain the club’s ambitions to him. However, without much delay in presenting his response, the former Barcelona and Manchester United player declined the offer.
In actuality, his intentions lie towards returning to direct coaching and management rather than taking up the role of Sporting Director again. The 49-year-old has already previously experienced coaching stints in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and in China with Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic F.C. and Shenzhen F.C. He also briefly managed the Ecuadorian National team for half a year in 2020.
Jordi Cruyff was particularly influential in the signings of Ilkay Gundogan and Andreas Christensen for FC Barcelona. Moreover, his influence in Israel was also the reason that Maccabi Tel Aviv was able to regain their dominance within their domestic league.
Other offers currently also await him, according to the report, but the former Barcelona Sporting Director seems keen on ensuring that his next step is one that involves direct management of a team or at least a coaching position on the technical bench.
It will be interesting to see where life takes the son of the legendary Dutchman Johan Cruyff. Jordi remains a respected figure for Barcelona given his contributions to the club and fans of La Blaugrana will be hoping to see him succeed in whatever manner he can when he finds his newest calling.
