THE ONE AND ONLY JOHAN NEESKENS

ROBERT J WILSON PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE, GREAT DUTCH MASTER

- ROBERT J WILSON

CREATED fundamentally by the pioneers of Ajax, the visionary coach Rinus Michels and his prodigal son Johan Cruyff, Total Football transformed the modern game.

The football coming out of the Netherlands in the late 60s and into their golden age of the 70s was joyous. No one had seen anything like it. Total Football was different. The style shifted the game away from the defensive grip of Italy's Catenaccio with its pragmatic sweeper system and into areas of attacking football.

The influence of Ajax inevitably permeated the Dutch national team and there was strong emphasis on the importance of the team, work ethic and incredible organisation to pull it off. Players were granted the freedom to roam wherever they pleased because they knew that one of their team-mates would slot into their place and cover for them. The execution of the plan required discipline and concentration.