Latest news with #JordiCruyff
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex Barcelona players Patrick Kluivert and Jordi Cruyff at Kassam
Former Barcelona players Patrick Kluivert and Jordi Cruyff were at the Kassam Stadium to watch Leeds United beat Oxford United. The ex Dutch international footballers were in the city last night (Friday, April 18) to watch the penultimate Championship home game for the Yellows. Leeds ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a first half goal from Manor Solomon in the first half after a fantastic cross by Jayden Bogle. Oxford fought well but couldn't find the all important equaliser, leading to their opponents regaining top spot in English football's second United's Alex Matos (left) and Leeds United's Ilia Gruev (right) battle for the ball. (Image: Andrew Matthews / PA) With promotion on the mind of the Whites and avoiding relegation still the main goal for the Yellows, the match was quite the specatle. Thousands turned up to the sell-out game which even saw an FC Barcelona legend and the son of a footballing icon turn up to watch too. Patrick Kluivert played from the Catalan club as well as Ajax, AC Milan, Newcastle United, Valenica, PSV and Lille in a distinguished career. The striker was joined by Jordi Cruyff, son of legend Johan Cruyff, at the crunch Champiosnhip former footballers watched on from the stands. (Image: CBS) Manchester United, Barcelona and Espanyol all featured in the 51-year-old former midfielder's career after following in his father's footsteps. Both players made national appearances for their native Netherlands side over the years too. The famed pair were at the Kassam watching on due to Oxford having Indoniseian attacker Marselino Ferdinan in their ranks. Kluivert was appointed as the head coach of Indonesia's national football team in January. A photo of the group along with the player was posted to the former Dutch footballer's Instagram on Friday night.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'A real learning experience' – Xavi Hernandez reflects on Barcelona managerial spell
Last summer, Xavi Hernandez's two-and-a-half-year spell as Barcelona head coach ended when he was sacked in favour of hiring Hansi Flick. Since then, he has been enjoying time away from football – and more importantly, with his family. He has also stayed away from the public spotlight, although he was interviewed by France Football earlier this week. As per Diario AS, he spoke about his time at Barcelona manager, but before that, he revealed that prior to arriving as Ronald Koeman's replacement in November 2021, he had been courted multiple times by the Catalans. 'Barcelona had already come looking for me twice before Laporta's call, but I still didn't feel ready. That's why I spent two and a half seasons at Al Sadd in which I was able to train, try things and win titles.' On his time in charge of Barcelona, Xavi admitted that the departures of Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany in the summer of 2023 affected him. He also had some regrets about his managerial style, which he believes was sometimes affected by the sentimental feeling that he holds towards the club. 'My first year and a half at Barcelona was very, very good. We had a good project with Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff that allowed us to finish second in La Liga, before winning the league in 2023, as well as the Spanish Super Cup. Then, the results were less good. The departure of Jordi and Mateu was a hard blow. 'In hindsight, our results are very positive, because the club was in one of the worst situations in its history, even worse than in the early 2000s. The expectations were very high compared to my story. My deep attachment to Barcelona sometimes didn't do me any favours, maybe sometimes I was too sentimental, but this adventure was a real learning experience.' Xavi is now looking ahead to his next managerial experience, which he admitted could be in Spain, albeit not with Barcelona.
