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Johan Cruyff Jets to Mexico to Rescue ‘Chivas’, Dutch Master Joins CD Guadalajara as Advisor

Johan Cruyff, whose soccer philosophy turned FC Barcelona into the dream team that it is today, has been called upon to try and use some more of his magic. The Associated Press reports Cruyff is taking on an advisory role with Mexico’s historic club, C.D. Guadalajara.

Chivas is playing poorly in the Clausura tournament — having not won a game for over four months. The club has a rich history, having won 11 first division titles, seven Campeon de Campeones, one Interliga and two Copa Mexico titles. Fans’ expectations are always high.

Chivas has taken only two points of a possible 21, in the current campaign. With only 10 games remaining, it has turned to Holland’s wizard, who shined during the 1974 FIFA World Cup as a player and transformed the modern game.

Cruyff recently resigned from Ajax’s board after fellow board members tried to hire Louis van Gaal as club CEO behind his back.

Cruyff will head across the Atlantic to try and guide Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez’s old club back up the standings. Chivas currently sits at the bottom of the Clausura.

New manager Ignacio Ambriz knows that scoring two goals in seven games is unacceptable considering the fans’ standards, but thinks that his team can get better.

“Our finishing has not been good,” Ambriz said. “We have created some chances, but we have not followed through in attack. We can’t do anything but keep working.”

Ambriz took over as manager after former coach Fernando Quirarte was fired only a few weeks ago. Chivas has not won a game in four months, and Cruyff is the man Chivas called on to change that.

Photo via Flickr/Patrick de Laive