The Ajax team formed the base for the Dutch national team that stole the hearts of the world one year later at the 1974 World Cup in Germany. Although the Netherlands lost the final against the hosts, the Dutch made an everlasting impression. Forever the Dutch will remembered for that style, "Total Football". A beautiful, but also a difficult legacy.

Since that time, Ajax had a revival under coach Cruyff and players Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard when they won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1987. Under coach Louis van Gaal Ajax had another peak, by winning the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the Champions League in 1995. After losing the Champions League final of 1996 against Juventus a long European silence arose.

Times changed over the last 21 years. Due to the changing circumstances, rising financial differences with European major leagues and some bad choices Ajax drifted away from the top. It was Johan Cruyff himself who tried to stop the downfall in 2010, after he saw an Ajax lose to Real Madrid twice in the Champions League in a style which wasn't the Ajax way. "I do not recognize Ajax anymore," he said.

Cruyff started a revolution at his club, which led to a change of the youth system to a more individual approach and more former club players as coaches and on leading positions. After five restless years the revolution failed and Cruyff decided to quit advising Ajax by the end of 2017. However, now, over one year after he died from lung cancer, his spirit seems back at Ajax.

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