Cruyff, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures at the Nou Camp in his role as advisor to president Joan Laporta, rubbished reports he had met with Mourinho with a view to him succeeding Frank Rijkaard.

Dutchman Cruyff wrote in his column in Spanish daily El Periodico that Barca's current struggles - they currently lie six points adrift of leaders Real Madrid amid claims of dressing-room unrest - were no excuse for starting "absolutely false rumours" which he considered "hurtful to Rijkaard both as a manager and as a person".

He said: "Recognising that Madrid (have an advantage) shouldn't serve to feed completely false rumours like the one that I gave the okay to Mourinho's arrival."

He went on to insist the club were not considering bringing the Portuguese to Barcelona, claiming "no-one has even asked me anything about Mourinho".

Cruyff - who as coach led Barcelona to their first European Cup in 1992 - added words of support for Rijkaard, insisting "we have a manager until 2009" and that "Rijkaard is my friend and you don't do things behind a friend's back".