FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.04.2010 18:17

"Cruyff deserves it"

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The main personages that gathered in Sala París on Thursday have said the Dutchman has got the recognition he deserved.

Footballers that shared a dressing room with Cruyff, were his disciples in the Dream Team or are at Barça today were there to honour the great Johan Cruyff as the club’s new president of honour.

They all agreed that he fully deserved the distinction.

Ex colleagues (1973-1978)

Juan Manuel Asensi: "It is very nice for him to be president honour. The club should have done this before. Barça needs an ambassador, and there’s nobody better than him. It moves Barça up a level and he’ll represent the club well".

Marcial Pina: "I think he’ll make an excellent president of honour. He was an extraordinary player. There is no questioning his global image".

Members of Dream Team

Ronald Koeman: "Cruyff deserved to be named. He did a lot for Barça, with his playing philosophy and for his faith in the youth teams. Cruyff changed a lot for Barça. Johan is very important to me because I was with him for one year at Ajax and then he brought me to Barcelona. It was a big change for me. I had six fantastic years here”.

Hristo Stoichkov: "Johan was my footballing father. He came to Bulgaria to sign me when I was just a footballer from the east. It was one of my life’s best moments. It is good to have someone like Johan. He is and always will be the best coach I ever had. He took a chance with me. He was an artist as footballer and from the bench”.

Txiki Begiristain: "I add my name to those recognising him for what he did for this club. He was a brave coach. We shared seven years as a player and coach. He made us all change. There was a before and an after Cruyff. He brought an idea, a philosophy and a style that we are only confirming".

Other personages

Eusebio Da Silva Ferreira: "Barcelona value the work done by Cruyff. He deserves this. He is a man everybody identifies with Barça. He lives here more than in Holland, despite being Dutch. He deserves it and I am here as a friend. This night it’s Liverpool v Benfica so I had to ask Benfica to come here".

Bobby Charlton: "Johan Cruyff has been my friend for many years. I am delighted with what happened here. He deserves it for what he did for the history of FC Barcelona. Barça tend to make the right decisions. I know he is very proud of this recognition. Cruyff was an inspiration for me and so many players”.