Jordi Cruyff has secured the safety of Chongqing Lifan in the Chinese Super League in his first season at the helm.
The Dutchman – who briefly played with Barcelona and Manchester United – had left his role as Maccabi Tel Aviv boss a year ago to take up the position, having previously been sporting director at the Israeli club and AEK Larnaca.
With four matches remaining in the division, Chongqing have amassed 33 points in 26 games with eight wins, nine draws and nine losses.
“First objective accomplished: our place in next season's Chinese Super League guaranteed,” wrote Cruyff on his Twitter account.
“A lot of hard work and great togetherness between the fans, players and staff. Thanks to everyone and let's now try and finish as high up as possible!”
Diario Sport outline how the achievement qualifies as a success for Cruyff, who has regularly been linked with taking up a position on Barcelona’s board.
The 45-year-old has been linked with a return to the Camp Nou with constant changes in the boardroom – Robert Fernandez and Pep Segura have been among the high-profile departures from similar positions in recent years.
