Jordi Cruyff is a step away from joining Barcelona
The son of legend Johan will take up a hybrid role at the club, not quite sporting director
Jordi Cruyff will join Joan Laporta’s Barca project. SPORT sources at the club say negotiations are highly advanced - he came to the city at the end of last week - and the deal is close to being sealed. It depends on finding an agreement with Shenzen FC, the club he’s coach of, and has six months remaining on his contract with.
Once that is officially ended Barca can announce his arrival. One of his priorities is to seal the end of his time in China in an official, clean way.
Cruyff has always been wanted by Laporta to join the club, although the job titles - coach, technical secretary, sporting director - none of them quite explain the role he will undertake.
The signings are basically done, with Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and Emerson having been announced, Depay and Wijnaldum on the way. Alemany and Planes are in charge of that.
Instead Cruyff will be arriving as someone in charge of deciding, to say in some way, the editorial line of the club in general and the first team in particular. Laporta wants him by his side. Of course, the choice is also linked to Cruyff as the son of his father, Johan, a Barcelona legend.
Laporta believes Jordi, who has spent time as a sporting director and a coach, can bring analysis, planning and management.
