How Cruijff Kept The Dutch From Winning a World Cup | A Six Year Long Saga

A 6-year saga including the best Dutch keeper of all time, Jan van Beveren, and the best Dutch footballer of all time, Johan Cruyff.
Cruijff is one of the most universally loved players in the world. Cruijff was a brilliant player, a brilliant coach, and he changed football forever. However, because of these great achievements, the lesser aspects of his career have been forgotten. Especially, the bullying of one Jan van Beveren, by many seen as the best Dutch goalkeeper of all time.
This video is strongly inspired by the book "Klem!" by Doevendans, who wrote a great book on the whole subject at hand.

[@mjansen754]

I have seen Van Beveren play and he was the best linekeeper I have ever seen. He caught all hi balls, diving like superman and had super reflexes. Too bad he couldn't show it to the world in 1974.

[@Bundy72]

and in 1976, 1978 and 1980.

[@gevegt7721]

@@Kleermaker1000 He wasn't just the best line keeper. He was and is still the best overall.

[@bennythebullTX]

I played on a youth soccer team & Jan was the coach. I love him as a man as a friend as a role model. And as a coach, I miss him, dearly, did

[@herbayum76]

Jan van Beveren was een stijlvolle lijnkeeper, een 100% sportsman en een gentleman. Bij het Nedelands Elftal had hij de pech te moeten werken met coaches zonder ruggegraat...

[@hermannus3894]

Jan van Beveren bedankte voor dit toernooi wegens liesklachten weet lang niet iedereen. Veel mensen denken dat Jan van Beveren en Willy van der Kuijlen niet in de WK-selectie van 1974 zaten, omdat er een conflict was over de premies. Die onenigheid tussen Van Beveren en Van der Kuijlen enerzijds en Johan Cruijff anderzijds is er zeker geweest. Alleen was dit in 1975 onder het bewind van George Knobel na een teleurstellende interland tegen Polen.

[@Evocati2008]

Fort Lauderdale Striker fans knew Jan very well, and loved him dearly.

[@henkoosterink8744]

His father, Wil Van Beveren, was in the 200 meters final of 1936 Olympia. With famous Jesse owens.

[@francescovalente1963]

The save at 2'14" Is an authentic master piece. Flying and blocking a ''cannon shot'' Is great. This despite of the fact that their gloves were not differenti thanx those used by carpenters. I remember that in the past there were many goal keepers attempting that, such as Dino Zoff. Today's goal keepers prefer just to rebounce, maybe because the modern ball is more "Crazy"

[@sunnycriti9809]

cruyf was absolutely a superstar but also a true dictator

[@ronaldjager729]

Coaches: - Michels - Knobel - Zwartkruis All weak as water

[@henkoosterink8744]

@@ronaldjager729 Michels...weak? Hahahahahaa.

[@ronaldjager729]

He was the one sending Van Beveren away just before the WC74. Total idiot. Best keeper world wide.

[@ZAOUWV]

Cruyff ignoring van Beveren was a shame!

[@ronaldjager729]

Fault of the coaches. They were *Michels * Knobel * Zwartkruis Weak as water.

[@ronaldjager729]

Fault of the coaches. They were *Michels * Knobel * Zwartkruis Weak as water.

[@hermannus3894]

Jan van Beveren bedankte voor dit toernooi wegens liesklachten weet lang niet iedereen. Veel mensen denken dat Jan van Beveren en Willy van der Kuijlen niet in de WK-selectie van 1974 zaten, omdat er een conflict was over de premies. Die onenigheid tussen Van Beveren en Van der Kuijlen enerzijds en Johan Cruijff anderzijds is er zeker geweest. Alleen was dit in 1975 onder het bewind van George Knobel na een teleurstellende interland tegen Polen.

[@tonyoreilly6283]

Very interesting video I've read a bit about this feud before. Van Beveren was definitely a better keeper than Jongbloed. I love Cruyff but no one is perfect.. know some of Ajax players had differences with him hence he lost captaincy in 1973 summer and he left for Barcelona soon after. Michels had difficult enough job getting Ajax and Feyenoord playing together never mind PSV. Love this era of Dutch football so many wonderful players.

[@lisaholthaus6776]

Very interesting thanks for sharing

[@chokoholmes9177]

Piet Schrijvers is an interesting footnote here. He was arguably the best goalkeeper in 1974 for Holland? He was at FC Twente. Did he sign for Ajax after the World Cup? Cruyff wanted Jangbloed as he saw him as a sweeper keeper and Piet was out of the frame. How did he feel about this? He was no 1 in 1978 and missed the final through injury in the semi. Any informed comments welcome

[@iTzHopelessx]

Great video! I like your style

[@Williamottelucas]

Fascinating. I had no idea about any of this. Heel jammer dat dit is gebeurt.

[@GriefTourist]

In fighting .. it's what the Dutch do!!

[@henkoosterink8744]

?

[@luciodemeio1]

It would be nice if you would't eat half of the words, so that people can understand 100% of them !!

[@TheGreatHeisman]

Amazing video! I loved your explanation, so it seems like that ego is what prevented the Netherlands from winning the 1974 and 1978 World Cup. But you also have to take into consideration for Johan Cruyff in October 1977 was that him and his family almost got kidnapped in Barcelona and that is why he retired from the Netherlands football team. I don't understand why Jan Beveren was not called up for the Dutch national team in 1978. I feel like they went WAY TOO public with this feud they shouldn't have made this rivalry so public. If it wasn't for that rivalry and the kidnapping attempt in 1977 in Barcelona then I believe that the Dutch would've won the 1974 and 1978 World Cup. Also what's your take on the 2010 World Cup final? The Netherlands were amazing, and they could've won the 2014 World Cup if Louis Van Gaal substituted Cilessen for Tim Krul in the penalty shootout against Argentina. Why did LVG insist on keeping Cilessen instead of putting in Tim Krul in the penalties? Also Robben should've made that goal for the Netherlands in the last minute of play before Mascherano tackled him Robben held on to the ball for way too long. Imagine a Netherlands-Germany 2014 World Cup final would've been an excellent rematch of the 1974 World Cup final.

[@jaspertjess1818]

For the 2014 world cup. We were out of substitutions if I recall it properly

[@TheGreatHeisman]

@@jaspertjess1818 Imo Van Gaal should've saved that last substitution to replace Cilessen with Tim Krul for the penalty shootout.

[@user-fh4sl2fz3y]

@@TheGreatHeisman well under new rules you get an 4th substitution if the matche goes to extra time

[@Williamottelucas]

I watched all of those finals happening live along with my father. He has passed on (in 2011) and I am already 65. Time running out!

[@wolfgangdevries127]

Hehe chokers. In 3 finals the Dutch scored essentially 1 time. The 1-0 against Germany was a schwalbe afaiac.

[@ronaldjager729]

Was not Cruijffs fault but coaches who were idiots. Michels in 1974, Knobel in 1975, Zwartkruis im both 1976 and 1977. Weak as water, all three of them. If Kees Rijvers or Ernst Happel were coach in 1974 Jan van Beveren would have played and also Rinus Israël had played and not Arie Haan. Van Beveren was the best goalkeeper ever world wide and Cruijff the best player.

[@Michel305]

Quite clear who was in charge!

[@driesvisscher3646]

i know that if cruijff dint understand on this world! we said "van beveren is the best keeper ever on the wordl!"

[@Joel-cw1ey]

Great vid but v Hanegem was a midfielder not a forward.

[@Michel305]

So was v. Hanegem.

[@Joel-cw1ey]

@@Michel305 What does that mean?

[@Michel305]

@@Joel-cw1ey I I mean van der Kuylen was also a midfielder.

[@novortex]

I think West Germany and Argentina were superior in both finals. The finals were not lost because of the goalkeeper.

[@Williamottelucas]

Disagree.

[@stevenlambrechts9942]

Van der Sar :-)

[@MANUTDASF]

I dont get it..

[@bastiaanstapelberg9018]

JC was Een popie Jopie hoor

[@daan772]

Kut Cruyff

[@FragLord]

willy van der kuijlen too was pushed out the Dutch squad by Cruyff and Neeskens. If you look at the amount of legendary players that weren't there in 78 (Cruyff, Van Hanegem, Willy VDK and Jan Van Beveren), it's amazing they got so far in that World Cup. And they mostly lost because of Argentinians cheating in everyway possible. Several referees were bribed, other teams were bribed, the entire team was doped so bad they used pee from Argentinian citizens. Yet they were so careless that one of the players was pregnant... Yes they used a pregnant woman's pee... Players were harassed before and during the tournament in Argentina. If the Dutch would've shown up with their best team in 78 they definitely would've won! Not only that, but one shouldn't forget that PSV is in the south where there is a different mentality, dialect and even somewhat culture. Both groups looked and still do with distain towards eachother. In the Netherlands you either live above the river or under the river. I believe they should give the 78 WC to the Netherlands because of the massive cheating done by Argentina. And I'm saying this as a Belgian with a Argentinian girlfriend :D

[@andrealders5053]

What a waste of time to write this bullshit. If Rensenbrink had more luck to score 2-1 against Argentina, the World Cup would have been in The Netherlands. JC was indeed a dictator and the entire atmosphere surrounding the Dutch national team in the seventies was even less than amateurism.

[@FragLord]

@@andrealders5053Yeah the fact that Argentina bribed several officials, threatened players and their families shouldn't be forgotten. There was a documentary in Argentina about their own team. All the players said if they knew what the regime was doing behind their back, they would never play in the world cup. Also the entire team was doped out of their mind, the Argentinian team was so bad at disguising the information that they used the urine of a pregnant woman... All national football in that time period was amateuristic.

[@stevenlambrechts9942]

Rinus Michels was a coward....

[@ronaldjager729]

If only Rijvers or Happel was coach in 1974. They would have played with Van Beveren and Cruijff. Michels was an intrigant, a bad coach.

[@lws7394]

He was also a heavy narcissist.

[@merseydave1]

It is obvious that Cruyff was a Great Footballer ... Now it is obvious that Cruyff Was Not a Great Man!.

[@johny3470]

Well now I hate Cruyff. Thanks mate.

[@22kapiten]

Naive.

[@jsuisdetrop]

@@22kapiten More like _gullible_

[@sayan7912]

Cruyff was a great but also an asshole. He could've achieved so much more if he had a better character. He was too proud and arrogant. And so many people lived to make him eat his words. The Milan 4-0 Barca final comes to mind. Where he arrogantly stated that Milan has no chance against Barca as they have invested in defense instead of attack like him. Didn't play Laudrup who was the one of the best midfielder of his time. Then lost 4-0 to a defensive team!! 😂 Laudrup left for Madrid and next year gave them a 5-0 demolition in El Clasico, and won them the league. Cruyff was hugely bigheaded, but had great technique as player and a clear philosophy about how attacking free flowing football should be played known as 'Total Football'.

[@ghostpost905]

What a lot of bull shit. Maybe true that Cruijff prevented Van Beveren joining the 1974-squad but that does not automatically means that with Van Beveren The Netherlands would have become world champions. The statement that Jongbloed's influence in the games was reduced to one single moment were he used his skills as a field player is pure nonsens. In the Dutch Total Football Filosophy a goalkeeper is so much more then a ball stopper. He is the first attacker and thus he has to think as one. Jongbloed was that kind of a keeper. A brilliant organizer of the defence who had come up with the idea to form a defence center with Arie Haan en Wim Rijsbergen. Not Michels, not Cruijff, it was Jongbloed. And for those who think that Van Beveren was a far better keeper: watch the footage of the qualifying game against Norway (1-2) Narrowly won with a last minute goal but with a blundering Van Beveren. Or otherwise against Poland in 1975 (4-1 loss) again with a dramatic Van Beveren. Statement: With Van Beveren in 1974 The Netherlands would not even had made it to the final. Just as hypothetic as the title of this video and even hard to proof. History just can't be re-written with "what-iff-scenario's". There are just facts. And the facts are that Jongbloed played two WC- finals and Van Beveren not even one game in a big tournament.

[@haythijs]

Nice point of view. Although I consider Van Beveren far better as a goalkeeper, it can’t be stated that with him we would win in 1974 or 1978. Because the Dutch had to score more oftenin that final than that Neeskens penalty, and there they failed. The German would have their penalty also wich meant 1-1. If Van Beveren stopped Muller his shot, then also the Dutch had to score a second goal. And that did not happen, wich had nothing to do with Jonbloed his qualities. In 1978 I think the Dutch would not survive it if they won there in Argentina. The referee would have played that long or made that such strange desicions so the Argentina squad made their goals and win that game , even if the Rensenbrink shot would have been the 2-1 in the last minute. Nevertheless Van Beveren was a fantastic goalkeeper with outstanding qualities. Although I think also Schrijvers was better than Jongbloed, you can not blame him for losing that final.

[@mjansen754]

If Jan Van Beveren was in the squad, Willy van der Kuylen was too. That would have give the Dutch more opportunities in those games. He had a canon in both leggs

[@DCvg-tg4es]

Jongbloed was second rate. The truth is that Cruijff's preference for so-called footballing goalkeepers was often self-defeating. Like his disastrous use of Carles Busquets as first goalkeeper. Cruiiff wasn't as visionary as his fans made him out to be and his views on defense and goalkeeping were detached from reality.

[@fouedjebali2935]

not only Van Beveren, also Van der kuijlen, Drost, Geels, Muuhren and Lippens are left home without any convincebale reason. At that time (1974) Netherland has almost no good substitute players that represent a good solution for the coach. These players could have strengthen the team and forsure Netherland could be world champion with them.

[@eymerichinquisitore9022]

That game was dominated by the Poles

[@22kapiten]

Just watched this whole thing and one statement just felt untrue. He has three titles with PSV and one Uefa cup, and you are calling him the best keeper of all time over Van Der Saar. What is your argument besides that he is a myth and a symbol of resistance vs Amsterdam and Cruijff? I mean there is nothing that indicates that he was THAT good. I can for sure imagine that Cruijff had a giant ego and that he was a person that would abuse his power, but to sit here and throw such a reckless statement of Jan Beveren being the best Dutch keeper of all time and that the fact that he didn't play in 74 cost Netherlands the cup, it's just untrue and funny to be honest. It was a rivalry, they hated each other, Cruijff won. That it, simple as that.

[@rainhere7892]

It depends on who you ask really. A lot of those who were around back then to actually watch him play believe him to be the best Dutch keeper of all time, where the younger people often choose van der Sar. To then compare the success of a club as an indicator to which is the better keeper seems wrong. I do believe I also mention him to be "possibly the best Dutch keeper", not the undispited best keeper. Apart from that it's, of course, not certain that it cost the Dutch the cup, but they absolutely would've had a much bigger chance with Van Beveren over the mediocrity they had instead.

[@carero22]

Think there's a consensus over here that Jan van Beveren is the best Dutch goalkeeper ever.

[@Avenaur]

Yeah, the NT was amazing with VDS, lmao

[@22kapiten]

@@rainhere7892 doesnt really matter what people think. Being the best is achievements + dominance over your contemporaries. I did my research and nothing except for PSV and anti Ajax fans words suggests that. Since im completely neutral as a fan from Serbia I honestly believe this is a grand overreaction. I like the angle and I like the Cruijff story, just dont like how you repeatedly overrate Jan Beveren.

[@rainhere7892]

@@22kapiten I don't think anyone can make a claim about someone they've never seen play before, even if you read some articles on the subject. Had van Beveren played and had they won the world cup, I don't believe we'd be having this argument right now.