Jordi Cruyff is finding his new job challenging but rewarding.

After calling time on his playing career towards the end of his one-year stint with Valletta last season, Cruyff departed for Cyprus to take up his new role as technical director of AEK Larnaca who had just secured promotion to the top division.

Cruyff wasted no time in stamping his mark on AEK Larnaca, handing the reins of the team to Ton Caanen, his former mentor at Valletta, and drafting in a plethora of new players, including former City team-mates Doding Priso and Luke Dimech.

“As sports director, I’m responsible for the appointment of coaches and players’ roster,” the 36-year-old told The Times.

“It’s a challenging job, especially as my club has just been promoted from the second division. I had to make some hard decisions during the summer, especially regarding those players who helped the team win promotion last season. I asked myself... should I keep the bulk of last season’s squad or should I change?

“We have made a lot of changes, bringing in no fewer than 15 new players.

“In the current economic climate, it’s not easy to balance books but what I’ve tried to do is attain a mix of experience and youth and the start has been very encouraging.

“As a club, we’ve also had to adapt to a new level of football but everyone has been committed to the cause. On a personal level, I’ve come to a new a club and a new country where the organisation, football-wise, is different to what I knew in England and Spain.

“I’ve been trying to introduce a European approach at Larnaca. It’s not an easy job and a very big challenge for me. It’s been an interesting experience so far. I thought it would be better to learn in a country like Cyprus rather than work in a place where I would just be following the system. Here I have the chance to put my ideas into practice.”

Cruyff’s good relationship with Caanen meant that the latter was always the favourite to land the coach’s job at AEK following his departure from Valletta.

“We know each other very well,” Cruyff said.

“He can help me in the aspects where I lack and vice-versa. I believe we complement each other. With so many different nationalities in our squad, it was important to have a coach who has good communication skills and one who is multi-lingual. The players have responded positively to his methods.

“Furthermore, Larnaca needed a coach who could adapt himself to a different mentality, someone who can be flexible and Caanen fitted the bill perfectly. He is willing to move forward in his career and working in Cyprus gives him the chance to make a step up.”

After a niggling injury scuppered Cruyff’s hopes of closing his career with an appearance for Valletta in the FA Trophy final against Qormi, the Dutchman recently underwent knee surgery in Spain.

“The rehabilitation is going well,” Cruyff said.

“I was struggling with the injury during the Anniversary Cup final (Valletta beat Floriana 3-1) but I tried hard to play until the end.

“I knew I needed an operation but with all the changes we’ve had at AEK, I was so busy that I decided to wait for the right moment. After the transfer window closed in September, I could finally have my operation.

“I need more treatment to sort out my knee problem for the rest of my life but I have no complaints after spending 18 years as a professional player.”

For all the cynicism about the poor level of Maltese football, Cruyff didn’t hesitate to award contracts to two of his former Valletta team-mates, Cameroonian winger Priso, who joined AEK Larnaca on a season-long loan, and Dimech.

“The position about Priso was very clear from the start,” Cruyff said.

“He is a very talented player and last season he started to feel that he needed a new challenge.

“Attacking-wise, Priso was by far the most creative player Valletta had. Moving to Cyprus is a little step-up for him as he has to prove himself in a better league. He’s been outstanding so far.

“His move to Larnaca is good for both clubs because if we can sell him to a bigger team, Valletta will also benefit. I think it’s easier for a player to attract the attention of other clubs if he’s playing in Cyprus.

“I was quite satisfied with the level of Maltese football but the standard is higher in Cyprus.

“I spoke with Priso about the possibility of a move away from Malta before I accepted to become sports director of AEK Larnaca. I was also very open and clear in my discussions with the Valletta president (Victor Sciriha)... I told him that Priso was one of the players I would be interested in.

“Even before Caanen signed his contract to coach AEK, I already knew that we had the option of bringing Priso. I set my sights on him before I came here... he’s the only player for whom we agreed to pay a fee because all other signings were free agents.”

Although Cruyff was known to be very close to Dimech during his spell in Maltese football, the latter’s move to Larnaca raised some eyebrows in light of his acrimonious exit from Valletta.

The former Malta defender was banned by the club until the end of the season after he allegedly made an obscene gesture towards the fans and then took his shirt off at half-time of the league match against Sliema Wanderers in May.

“With Luke, I don’t remember how many times we’ve argued on the pitch,” Cruyff said.

“But with him, you know what you’re getting... he’s got a British mentality.

“Luke is a strong lad. I told him that he will not be starting every game with Larnaca but he’s done a good job so far. I think he has progressed since he joined the club.

“Luke is also one of the fittest players in the squad. In pre-season, we played a friendly against PSV Eindhoven and he held his ground.”

Dimech was a mainstay of the national side but his international career came to an abrupt end after he fell out with national coach John Buttigieg. His exclusion from the squad prompted Dimech to quit international football earlier this year but there is a lingering feeling that the defender is still keen on representing the country.

Cruyff believes Dimech can still be an asset to the national team.

“Luke has made a new step in his career,” Cruyff said.

“He’s up against players who are worth millions, he’s playing against the likes of Loma Lua Lua who had a long spell in UK football but he’s made the grade. As far as the national team is concerned, I’m sure that if he gets a call to rejoin the squad, he would consider it. And I think he can contribute to the team.”

Bid for Mifsud

Cruyff admitted to a tinge of disappointment at his failure to persuade Michael Mifsud to join him in Cyprus.

“I was on the phone with Michael every day for two months,” he said.

“I tried my best to meet his wishes but we couldn’t get it done. It’s a shame that Michael has not found a club yet. In the few matches he played for Valletta, he showed his qualities but it’s not easy for foreign clubs to acquire a player from the Maltese league.

“Michael has the perfect character for a professional player and had he accepted to come here, even for six months, it might have helped him to get another move.”

Asked if he was still interested in recruiting Mifsud, Cruyff replied: “We signed an Estonian striker (Andres Oper) who has played over 120 games for his country. Am I still interested in Mifsud? I will always find a space for someone like him but at present, I can’t bring in new players as the transfer window for out-of-contract players is closed.”

Turning his attention to Larnaca’s aims this season, Cruyff declared himself confident that the team will hold their own in the top echelon of Cypriot football.

“I’m very happy with how the team has fared so far,” Cruyff said.

“In our first games, we won three games, drew one and lost one against the champions (Omonia).

“I’m very confident that we’ll avoid the drop. Some of the big teams have already felt our presence, they know what they’re up against.”