Welcome to a series of articles from Last Word on Football. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the transfers, sackings, appointments and more that almost happened in football, changing the game we all know and love.
Today, we look back at the time when Johan Cruyff almost made the unthinkable move to Jock Wallace’s Leicester City.
It Almost Happened: Johan Cruyff Joins Leicester City
A Complete Contrast
For many, Cruyff is one of the greatest sportsmen ever. Not just because of his playing achievements, or his innovations as a manager, but because of his personality outside of the game. He transcended the sport and was always a figure who constantly challenged the establishment. In a post-war era, a young, defiant and expressive Cruyff was someone many looked up to. On the pitch, he won six league titles, three European Cups with Ajax, whilst at Barcelona, a La Liga crown also came. His talismanic influence led to him scooping up three Ballon d’Or awards; the most at the time.
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Therefore, it is easy to see how someone of this stature could have been a game-changer. Despite this, he retired at 31 years old and only came out of retirement for a lucrative move to America. He may not have been the same player of a few years ago, but even an ageing Cruyff was special.
Meanwhile, Leicester City weren’t quite reaching those same heights. The term yo-yo club was thrown around at the time. After spending all but the last few months of the 1960s in the first division, the 1970s saw a few more campaigns in the second tier. Though by 1980, Jock Wallace had guided City back to the top flight as Champions. Wallace, who coached Rangers to two trebles, was known for his major demands on fitness.
This was no different with the Foxes, as he utilised an incredibly youthful squad. In the 1978/79 season, City’s average age was 21, a figure that remains the lowest in the club’s history. He fielded the youngest squad in the club’s history against Sheffield United, with half of the youth team players featuring over the season. Despite the Foxes’ lowest finish in 30 years, everyone was behind Wallace and felt there was something to build on. This is exactly what happened as City clinched a sixth Championship title the following term.
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Despite the triumph, the City boss was already looking at how to stay in the division. “There will be no major overhaul, but there will be a few additions and re-adjustments,” He said following a 2-1 over Charlton. Bringing in experience was the focus, especially in attack, as City boasted young talents like Jim Melrose and Gary Lineker.
How Did Leicester Miss Out on Cruyff Signing?
Upon leaving America in 1981, Cruyff had plenty of suitors. An unnamed German club, Arsenal, Levante, and, of course, Leicester all made offers. Back then, English football wasn’t what it is today. The 80s were a dark period, with the Bradford Fire and Hillsborough disaster. Hooliganism was rife, English clubs were banned from Europe, and ultimately couldn’t compete financially with the top European sides.
Despite these problems, Cruyff was still mesmerised by the country’s football. In his Autobiography ‘My Turn’, he recounts a trip to Anfield with Ajax. He said: “I had never seen anything like this – the passion for the game, and how much the fans wanted their team to win, and it made me think that one day I would like to play in England. Unfortunately, that dream didn’t come to pass because in those days, borders were still closed to foreign players. Even today, I still think that was a terrible shame.”
Read More: It Almost Happened: Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Arsenal
With this passion, a move to Leicester could have been on the cards. The Foxes were embroiled in a fight to stay in the division, and after ending Liverpool’s home unbeaten run of 85 games, beating Spurs and Manchester United, they were confident they could bring in the Dutchman. Ahead of a clash with then European Champions Nottingham Forest, the Sun broke the story about the deal.
Within the article, Wallace cited his friendship with the player and how important he could be. “The negotiations have been going on by telephone over the past three to four weeks, and now I think I have my man. He would teach my kids so much and be a great advert for Leicester City.” However, the almost unthinkable move didn’t come to fruition, as Cruyff opted for a return to Spain with promotion-hopeful Levante. “During the past two months, I have had offers from Leicester, Arsenal and a German club, but I want to be free,” he explained.
In the end, Leicester’s strong end to the season didn’t prove enough to remain in the top division. Meanwhile, Cruyff’s fortunes were no better. He almost immediately struggled with injuries and consequently couldn’t find form. Levante couldn’t earn promotion out of the Spanish second division, and even suffered relegation the following season.
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