Barcelona

Jordi Cruyff to step down as Barcelona sporting director

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 May 2023

Barcelona announce that sporting director Jordi Cruyff will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer, ending a successful two-year stay at Camp Nou.

Barcelona have announced that sporting director Jordi Cruyff will be stepping down from his position at the end of the season.

The 49-year-old son of the legendary Johan Cruyff rejoined the Blaugrana as a strategic advisor in 2021 before being promoted to his current role last summer.

Cruyff had previously held similar positions with Cypriot giants AEK Larnaca and Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv, but his Barcelona contract is due to expire next month.

In a statement, Barcelona have confirmed that the Dutchman will be seeking pastures new at the end of a successful campaign, in which he has overseen La Blaugrana's storming run to the La Liga title.

"FC Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff will not be renewing his contract at the end of the current season due to his wish to embark on new professional endeavours," the statement read.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta during the press conference on April 17, 2023 © Reuters

"He announced his decision this Tuesday morning to president Joan Laporta at an emotional meeting in which he explained that after two years in his position, he is leaving to face new challenges.

"Cruyff has said that he is committed to assisting the club in its transition towards a new executive structure, and will be offering his full support with the closure of outstanding operations in the summer transfer market. He also most sincerely thanked the president for his trust and for offering him the chance to come to FC Barcelona two years ago.

"In his two seasons here, Cruyff has played an important role in the reconstruction of the first team with some extremely wise decisions. He has also shown a fine capacity for forging good relationships with the club's coaching staff.

"FC Barcelona wishes to thank Jordi Cruyff for his important contributions as a member of the Sports Commission and wishes him all the very best of fortune in his future professional career."

As a player, the 49-year-old left the Ajax academy in 1988 to join Barcelona, where he scored 11 goals in 54 appearances before heading for Manchester United eight years later.

A general shot of Barcelona's Camp Nou taken in June 2020 © Reuters

A few months after Cruyff's return to Camp Nou in 2021, Barca parted ways with Ronald Koeman and hired Xavi as their new head coach, and the pair worked together on a successful summer window.

Despite the Blaugrana's well-documented financial constraints, the club pulled off the marquee signings of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha, as well as acquiring Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Hector Bellerin and Franck Kessie on free transfers.

A 4-2 victory over Catalonian rivals Espanyol on Sunday night confirmed Barcelona's status as La Liga champions with four games to spare, having accumulated 85 points from 34 games, 14 better off than dethroned 2021-22 champions Real Madrid.

Xavi's side also scooped the 2022-23 Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia, beating Real Betis on penalties in the semi-finals before a 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the showpiece contest.

Cruyff's exit will represent a second high-profile departure from Barcelona's senior management team this summer, as director of football Mateu Alemany is poised to join Aston Villa, and former midfielder Deco is believed to be in talks to succeed the duo in Catalonia.