Cruyff named Catalonia coach

Former Netherlands international Johan Cruyff has been named coach of Catalonia, the autonomous Spanish community’s football federation (FCF) said yesterday.

The 62-year-old, who moved to the Catalan capital from Ajax to play for Barcelona in 1973 and led them to a European Cup triumph as coach in 1992, has not taken charge of a team since he quit Barca in 1996.

He will be presented to the media on November 9 and will also work with the federation on sporting and social projects, the FCF said.

Catalonia is not recognised as a national team by FIFA or UEFA but the regional team typically play a friendly against an international side in December each year.

Cruyff has embraced Catalan culture since his move to Barcelona, where he still lives, and named his son Jordi (George), who now plays for Valletta, after Catalonia’s patron saint.

The former European Player of the Year last year agreed to help Ajax revamp their youth programme but pulled out because of differences with then coach Marco van Basten.