Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:19 pm
HOW CRUYFF NEARLY JOINED LEICESTER
26/03/16
Leicester City might be just seven games away from clinching their first top-flight title in 132 years, but back in January 1981 the Foxes were hurtling towards an immediate return to the Second Division under manager Jock Wallace.
The former Rangers boss won the treble twice during his spell at Ibrox before crossing the border and leading City to their sixth second-tier title in 1980, but following a 1-0 defeat against Leeds United and an embarrassing 3-1 loss at the hands of lowly Exeter City in an FA Cup fourth round replay, Leicester looked destined for relegation at the turn of the year.
With youngster Gary Lineker on the fringe of the first team and Jim Melrose struggling to find the net, Wallace knew he needed to recruit a talismanic figure to guide his young side through their looming relegation battle.
Having won six league titles and three European Cups with Ajax, plus a La Liga crown with Barcelona, Wallace launched an audacious bid to bring three-time Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff to Filbert Street.