Dennis Bergkamp has put the Premier League on red alert by claiming he is ready to resume his love-affair with English football.
The former Arsenal legend quit Ajax last season after a string of rows with sporting director Marc Overmars – having laid the foundations for the enigmatic side that ended the Champions League dreams of Real Madrid and Juventus before being felled by Spurs.
The 50-year-old Dutch great believes that he can nurture talent within academies, taking them to greater heights and is seeking a role similar to the one he left behind in Amsterdam.
He said: “At Ajax, I formed a bridge between the academy and the first-team.
“And I want to work in a similar way - talent development, a role on the coaching staff and, where needed, working individually with top talents.
“We’ve seen many styles in the game but whatever you analyse, it comes down to pure football talent – and developing that talent.
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“That’s where I want to contribute. At Ajax, I was not just focusing on the first-team strikers when it came to specialist training, I also enjoyed working with strikers in the academy – taking them to a higher level.
“My time at Ajax ended very suddenly. But I’m not done in football yet. I now see myself getting a job abroad.”
Bergkamp was mentored by Johan Cruyff – and tasked with expanding the late Dutch master’s footballing legacy, along with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Holland chief Ronald Koeman.
The former Gunners striker added: “Cruyff’s influence runs like a thread through my career.
“He was the one who picked me out when I was still playing in a youth team, putting me straight into the first team, while others had doubts.
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“Johan came up with his blueprint for Ajax in 2010. We both felt things had to change and we were on the same page immediately.
“We had dinner and he opened my eyes. That was the beginning of the ‘Cruyff revolution’ at Ajax.
“The club had been going in a certain direction. But Johan and I had different ideas to them about coaching and producing players.
“I’ve always been a massive fan of Johan Cruyff’s football vision.”
The Dutchman will always be remembered as one of Arsenal’s greats and understands that competing with the biggest clubs on the planet may not be possible.
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He insists he is not pitching for Unai Emery’s job – but does feel like he has something to offer his former employers.
He said: “I enjoyed my football in London from day one. I loved the English culture and the climax for me was when we won the double.
“Driving through the packed streets of London, seeing all those fans.
“But the more time has gone by, the clearer it is to me how special that period was. Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League title since 2004.
“The great thing about Arsene was that it was never about him. It was all about the players.”
