Jordi Cruyff takes over CSL team Chongqing Lifan

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After a 1-1 tie with Beijing Renhe in Chinese Super League Matchday 16 last Saturday, the visitors Chongqing Lifan’s Hao Haitao resigned from the agent manager position. And Jordi Cruyff will become the club’s manager on Wednesday according to Chongqing Morning News.

On July 22, Lifan’s former Portuguese manager Paul Bento was relieved of his duties due to team’s poor results, as he signed with the Chongqing club just on December 11, 2017.

For the first half season, Lifan obtained four wins, nine defeats and three draws, staying at the 14th place with 15 points after sixteen rounds. For the second half season, Dalian Yifang and Guizhou Zhicheng still have the huge possibility to catch up as they have 14 and 8 points respectively.

Jordi Cruyff with his father Johan Cruyff, 2001 /VCG Photo

Being the son of Dutch former legend player and manager Johan Cruyff, Jordi’s life journey is similar to that of his father.

He started to train with Ajax youth academy at the age of 7 in 1981, then played for Barcelona during 1988-1996 and Manchester United during 1996-2000.

He earned nine caps for the Netherlands national football team, playing at UEFA Euro 1996.

His position was attacking midfield.

At the end of his footballer career, he played for several European clubs and retired in 2010 with Malta’s capital team Valletta. In fact, in the last club, Jordi was player and assistant manager at the same time.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC's Dutch manager Jordi Cruyff (R) reacts during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Villarreal at the Netanya Municipal Stadium in Netanya, on September 28, 2017. /VCG Photo

Coaching Chongqing Lifan is just Jordi’s second attempt of becoming manager. Before that, he used to work as Cyprus’ AEK Larnaca FC's and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv's sports director for a total of seven years, and as manager of the latter in the 2017-2018 season.

Under his stewardship, Maccabi Tel Aviv dominated Israeli football, winning consecutive league titles during 2012-2015 and becoming runner-up for 2015-2017. In July, Jordi’s team won the title of Toto Cup.