Johan Cruyff is back with his old club Ajax after 23 years. The 63-year-old Dutch football legend is to join a focus group advising the club on “technical matters”. He will concentrate on boosting the club’s famed youth academy.

The move comes in response to Cruyff’s ongoing criticism of the Amsterdam club’s performance in his column in the popular Dutch daily De Telegraaf. The 63-year-old vowed to come to the club’s rescue and called for wide-ranging policy changes. He was appointed after a meeting with the Supervisory Board.

Three years ago Cruyff was also tasked with reforming Ajax, but pulled out after clashing with new manager Marco van Basten.

‘Total footballer’ Cruyff scored 204 goals for Ajax as a centre forward in the early 1970s, playing in his trademark number 14 shirt. After retiring from the pitch, he returned as manager in 1985, coaching the club to victory in the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

(mb/rk)