Cruyff pulls out of Ajax overhaul

Former playing great Johan Cruyff has pulled out of plans to revamp the technical structure at Ajax Amsterdam, the Johan Cruyff Foundation said yesterday.

Cruyff, 60, had indicated last month he would take on the job, his first official one at the club since being sacked as coach in 1988.

"There is a professional difference of opinion and not a personal conflict, because I want to bring back the level of the youth department to where it belongs," Cruyff said.

The differences between Cruyff and the new technical staff led by Marco van Basten, who will become coach of Ajax after leading the Dutch national team during Euro 2008 in June, were too great, the foundation said.

"There are drastic measures necessary. I made a clear plan but my vision is not shared by those who should execute it," said Cruyff, a former European Player of the Year.