Cruyff praises Bayern model

Johan Cruyff has praised Bayern Munich and feels the German giants are an example to follow for reigning Eredivisie champions Ajax.

Club legend Cruyff returned to Ajax as a member of the club’s supervisory board in 2011 with the intention to help the side back to the European, and the former Barcelona star is of the opinion that an organisation similar to the one at Bundesliga leaders Bayern will help the Amsterdam club get back on track.

“In my opinion, Bayern Munich represent everything a club should be about. I’d like to see something similar at Ajax,” Cruyff wrote in his weekly column in De Telegraaf.

“What Bayern have with (Uli) Hoeness and (Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge, we want to reproduce with (Dennis) Bergkamp and (Wim) Jonk,” he said.

“These guys have all enjoyed plenty of success during their active careers and have done pretty well financially, too. They don’t have to work for Bayern or Ajax for the money, but do it because they love their club.”

Ajax sit fourth in the Eredivisie table, trailing table-toppers AZ by five points. They exited the Champions League at the group stage and will meet Manchester United in the Europa League.