Maccabi, where the last images of Cruijff were made, mirrors Ajax

NOS Football•today, 06:12

2016: Maccabi shows the last moving images of Johan Cruijff

They were talking animatedly. Johan and Jordi Cruijff with trainer Peter Bosz, together on a bench in the Israeli sun in March 2016. These are the last moving images of the football icon, who would die later that month.

Cruijff was visiting his son, who was then technical director at football club Maccabi Tel Aviv. Bosz was head coach of the club that plays against Ajax in the Europa League tonight (kick-off 9 p.m.). In the Johan Cruijff Arena.

At the time, Maccabi reflected extensively on the death of Cruijff. “He was with us a lot,” club owner Mitchell Goldhar said. “Maccabi has lost a friend. We will never forget him.”

Jordi Cruijff has now also left Maccabi Tel Aviv, but the Dutch influence remains at the Israeli club.

In recent years, the selection has always had a few Dutch people in its ranks; currently Tyrese Asante (former ADO Den Haag) and Joris van Overeem (former AZ and FC Utrecht). The former Israeli striker of PSV, Eran Zahavi, also plays for Maccabi in his twilight years.

This is partly thanks to owner Goldhar. The Jewish-Canadian businessman is an avid fan of Dutch football. When Israel's most successful club had fallen deeply in 2012, he brought Jordi Cruijff to Tel Aviv. Immediately resulting in three national titles, the treble in 2015 and Champions League football.

“Jordi has since ensured that the club is back at the top,” says Patrick van Leeuwen, who was head of youth development and also head coach at the club from 2016 to 2021. “Maccabi is now a stable top club that has also been active in European competitions in recent years.”

Van Leeuwen became friends with Jordi Cruijff when he worked in the youth academy of Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk. Cruijff played football for two seasons at Metaloerh Donetsk in his twilight years. “As Dutch people, we lived in the same city, and yes, you meet each other and meet up. After that it just kept going.”

“In 2016, Jordi asked if I wanted to set up the youth academy at Maccabi. I did so according to the Dutch philosophy. 4-3-3, with attacking football.”

No, Van Leeuwen had not yet been appointed when Johan Cruijff occasionally visited Maccabi. During his time in Ukraine, he did speak extensively with the football legend about the development of youth football. “I'm still happy that I was able to experience that.”

It is nice that Ajax and Maccabi meet again, says Van Leeuwen. “Ajax is one of the clubs that Maccabi would like to emulate. Also because of Ajax's Jewish background.” For example, Ajax supporters have appropriated the nickname 'super Jews' and often wave Israeli flags.

Joris van Overeem has been playing football for Maccabi since 2022 and, the day before the match against Ajax, answers questions about the impact of the war on the team: “It's intense. On the football field I can detach myself from it, but outside of it you think about it.” after and you are working on it. The whole country is suffering, so that is what we are talking about.”

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Van Leeuwen: “Because of that background, Maccabi and Ajax maintain a friendly bond. And so do the fans. In previous meetings they were mixed together in the supporters' boxes.”

Ajax is joint fourth in the competition phase of the Europa League with 36 clubs. Maccabi is number 34 in the rankings, but is shared leader in the Israeli competition, together with rival Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem.

“Given the form of late, I think Ajax is the favorite. But Maccabi will certainly want to show themselves against a Dutch club.”