My generation put in a lot more hours playing football after school than kids today. These days, all the football these kids play, they play at their clubs, so the clubs need to work seriously on the basic skills.
Interpretation
Johan Cruyff reflects on the differences in how football is experienced by children today compared to his generation.
In this quote, Johan Cruyff emphasizes the shift in football culture from informal play among peers to structured play in clubs. He suggests that the lack of spontaneous, grassroots playing time may lead to less development of essential skills in young players, highlighting the importance of basic skill training in a more organized setting.
In practice
During a coaching seminar discussing youth development in football.
Ajax is a multicultural club, and we have found that many talented immigrant players quit when they reach puberty. So we wanted to tackle this problem with someone from the same background who had come through it. And that was Edgar Davids. During one of our fights, I pointed that out to him. But it had nothing to do with his skin colour.
It's disappointing to see how football, the world's No. 1 sport, is not No. 1 when it comes to development. It seems to me that a wealth of practical football knowledge is being squandered.
Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment. Control the ball, be friendly with it, try to attack, try to score goals. Of course defending is part of it, but you can defend in a lot of ways.
If you look at other countries, you see they have different values: defend more, pass the ball out more, winning is holy. In England, you could say that sport itself is holy. They say, 'Look, guys, it's about more than just winning.'
If you take golf, you have a teacher for the drive, a teacher for the approach play, and a teacher for the putt. That's three specialist coaches for one player. In football, one coach looks after 25 players.
The most important part are the fans, that people going home are happy. It's their time off, and you should give them something to enjoy.
If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later.
You have to know what club you are playing for, or you just play for yourself. Every time I put on a Liverpool shirt, I know it is more than just a football game.
They call it the rope-a-dope. Well, I'm the dope. Ali just laid on the rope and I, like a dope, kept punching until I got tired. But he was probably the most smart fighter I've ever gotten into the ring with.
When you train a massive club or little third division outfit, when you go out to play football in any situation, it is always about winning.
Basketball is one of those rare opportunities where you can make a difference, not only for yourself, but for other people as well.
Football is a game of mistakes. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes wins.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.