Cruyff legacy lives on

Speaking at the launch of Johan Cruyff’s posthumously-released autobiography, My Turn, Pep Guardiola gave an emotional tribute to his mentor. The Manchester City coach’s work is a testament to Cruyff’s ongoing legacy, writes Adam Bate.

There they were. Two sons. One of them biological. The other, offspring of the footballing variety. Jordi and Pep. United. Not in grief exactly, although the passing of Johan Cruyff remains raw, but out of respect and a determination to honour the great man’s memory.

Waterstones bookstore on Tottenham Court Road isn’t perhaps an obvious location for two sons of Catalonia to share their thoughts on the Dutch legend, although the publicity for this autobiography, like the press conference, is certain to be an international affair.

The book sections of the store were curiously appropriate too. Copies peppered the zone marked Non-Fiction. Of course. A dozen more were dotted around European History. Naturally. Even North American Travel away to Jordi’s left could account for the NASL years.

But Pep Guardiola’s stool was right underneath the signs saying British History. And why not. The Manchester City coach once described Cruyff as the man who built Barcelona’s cathedral, with his job being to maintain it. Now he’s spreading that gospel in England, trying to make a bit of history of his own.

“I thought I knew about football,” began Guardiola. “But when I met him and started to work with him, a new world appeared in front of me. Other coaches said many things, what he said was completely different. He helped us understand the game. To understand why.”

He added: “I was a lucky guy in my career. I am sitting here as Manchester City coach, at Bayern Munich and Barcelona before that, because I met him. If not, it would not have been possible. It was like going to university every single day.”

Guardiola’s admiration was near tangible in the room. When conversation drifted to tactical …

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