Former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff was introduced as the sports director of Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday and promised to lift the team back into contention for titles after a mediocre season.
Usually a perennial contender, Maccabi Tel Aviv is in sixth position this year in the Israeli Premier League with four rounds left in the season. Cruyff will officially join Maccabi on July 1, but has already begun planning for next season.
''The goal is the highest achievable,'' Cruyff said. ''I believe I can add the ingredients that things are going to be better.''
His first task will be to find a head coach to replace interim appointment Nir Levine.
''My thoughts are now to analyze, evaluate, to go through all the options,'' Cruyff said. ''We will make the right decision when the moment is right, which is obviously not now.''
Cruyff promised he would not interfere in the coach's on-the-field decisions.
The 38-year-old son of former Dutch international star Johan Cruyff has left as director of football of AIK Larnaca after spending two years at the Cypriot club .
Cruyff, who made nine appearances for the Dutch national team, said he believes he is making ''an important step up'' at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
''I believe this is where my potential really lies, he said. ''Time will tell.''
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