Nou-look City now top dogs says Jordi
JORDI CRUYFF reckons the Barcelona-isation of Manchester City is making them irresistible in the way his old club Manchester United once were.
Cruyff, 44, joined United from Barca – the club built in his father Johan’s image – in 1996 when they were the dominant force in England.
City are now that team and Cruyff says that is down to the appointment of three men steeped in Camp Nou history.
He said: “Things have looked worse for United since City have taken over the football vision of Barcelona.
“That is not just down to Pep Guardiola. Right now, three key positions in the club are taken by former Barcelona people.
“Pep is the coach and responsible for the team.
“Txiki Begiristain has the overall technical view as director of football and Ferran Soriano keeps his eye on the business side.
“A trio with such strong Barcelona ties indicates that City have gone for a clear philosophy, which is leading to trophies and success everywhere.
“The philosophy of what the club stands for has gone at United. I get a strong feeling there is no plan on which way the club is going and which could guide all the people working there.”
Cruyff (left) added: “Not making any steps forward in the Premier League is resulting in their rivals overtaking them – and here is where the next problem lies.
“Like other players at the time, I did not need to think twice about whether I would join United or City. “Just like Barca, United were irresistible in those years.
“With everything that is happening and developments at City, it is no longer an automatic choice for players to choose United and that is an even bigger concern.
“United was not just a beautiful football club, it also followed up the football I was used to.
“Home or away, United had a playing style, youth players and a winning mentality which was clear to everyone in the club.
“If Barcelona have one bad year, they would still not finish any lower than third in La Liga.
“That should be the case at Manchester United – but sadly it no longer is.”