Guardiola pays homage to Dutch football legend Cruyff

Johannesburg : Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has paid rich tributes to Dutch soccer legend Johan Cruyff, who passed away at the age of 68 after losing his battle with lung cancer on Thursday.

Guardiola, who was coached by Cruyff during his playing days at Barcelona, said that he knew nothing about football before knowing the Dutchman, Sport24 reported.

The Spaniard, who will take over as manager of Manchester City next season, said that Cruyff protected him in his early days as a footballer, adding that the Dutchman helped him to understand football and always backed him to trust his instincts .

Guardiola played as a defensive midfielder in the Cruyff-led Barcelona ‘Dream Team’ that won the European Cup for the first time in 1992.

Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or titles in his glorious career as well as three European Cups with Ajax. (ANI)