Melbourne City FC will pay tribute to the late Johan Cruyff, who passed away last Friday.
City will pay tribute to Cruyff at the 14th minute mark of Monday’s A-League match against Wellington Phoenix, encouraging fans and members to stand and applaud his contribution to the world game.
Regarded as football’s greatest revolutionary, the three-time World Player of the Year was one of the greatest exponents of beautiful, attacking, ‘total football’ in the 1970s and 1980s and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
A close colleague, former teammate and mentor of City Head Coach John van’t Schip, Cruyff has left an indelible mark on the Melbourne City’s style of play and philosophy and his impact will be missed, but never forgotten.
van’t Schip said it had been a difficult time following news of Cruyff’s passing.
“It was difficult in the sense that you can’t really imagine that he’s not there any more,” van’t Schip said.
“He has been a big part of my life, of my football life and as well as my life.
“He’s one of the figures that not only formed me but I think all the players he has coached and played with also take that legacy with them.”
van’t Schip paid tribute to Cruyff’s influence on him in a special colum for the Herald Sun.
What Johan did with the ball was pure magic, he became an instant idol as it inspired me to join a local team as I regularly dreamt of playing for Ajax and befriending Johan.
He was a revolutionary as a player and coach, always thinking two steps ahead, demanding his teams entertained while having an eye for young talent.
