As soon as we saw the name “Cruyff” we were enchanted. Johan Cruyff, the legendary father of course. But it didn’t take long for the name “Jordi” to also become a super brand.
I only met him once and it was at the home of an Israeli relative who studied with him in Holland and I was impressed that Israel was difficult for him and was threatening and perhaps also too small for him. However, not for long. He remained a foreigner but he became part of us, the Yellow & Blue Maccabis and maybe even a bit Israeli. Certainly he didn’t abandon us in times of war.
He arrived during a tough time. Many long years of despair and disappointment that even the legacy of the name “Maccabi” was a burden to us and our generation, our children and our grandchildren; perhaps the Yellow & Blue wasn’t what it was and won’t be what it was.
Then came Jordi and became very soon our Archimedean point, the crane that would lift the hopes and dreams of a whole world like in years past, which he himself was not part of its rich heritage. 
Our self-confidence returned slowly. Another cup. Another championship. Another successful match. Another new player who met expectations. Just like everything in the world, in football and in every branch of life, there would of course be difficult arguments and anger and resentments of this man who received the keys to our club. But in the moments of crisis there was always another achievement. Another streak. Everything is forgiven. Everything is forgotten.
He only worked at Maccabi for six seasons and I look at the trophies and titles that he brought to the club and I know in my heart that if we had been promised half when he arrived at Kiryat Shalom we would have welcomed him with open arms. All the more so that he made his mark with these championships and cups and we didn’t even give up on the Toto Cup.
But as in all areas of management and leadership and in all areas of life there comes the painful moment of saying goodbye; success is not eternal. But when I look at the overall picture, I feel that I can sing “Tzahov Oleh” together with Jordi and add Naomi Shemer’s song “Sometimes the party ends/the lights go out”.
I hope that Maccabi will always find a place in his heart. Thank you Jordi.
