Cruyff quits as Catalonia coach

Barcelona and Netherlands star Johan Cruyff has resigned from his position as coach of the Catalonia national team after three years in the job. Cruyff, 65, who is also currently working as a consultant to Mexican club Club Deportivo Guadalajara, has communicated his decision not to continue in the job to Federacio Catalana de Futbol (FCF) president Andreu Subies, according to a report published by Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo. “I am very proud to have been able to be player, coach and selector in the country which has taken to me, but the moment has arrived to close the cycle with a good taste in the mouth,” Cruyff said. “To be manager of Catalonia was my way of thanking the country and its people for all they have done for me.” Cruyff has led the unofficial fixtures which a Catalan XI play each year, with recent teams including players such as Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Sergio Busquets of Barcelona, Joan Verdu of Espanyol and Bojan Krkic of AC Milan. The Dutchman has recorded wins against Argentina (4-2) and Honduras (4-0), as well as a 1-1 draw with Tunisia during his time in charge, with the three games being played during La Liga’s winter break each year and drawing crowds of up to 40,000 spectators.