Guardiola to take Barca reins

[Natty]

Barcalona have confirmed that manager Frank Rijkaard will be replaced by Josep Guardiola at the end of the season.

Rijkaard vowed to continue in the job after Barca lost to Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last week.

However, Barca's disappointing domestic campaign carried on as they were defeated 4-1 by fierce rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Real have already clinched the Primera Liga title and Barca will finish the season without any silverware.

Rijkaard took charge of Barcelona in 2003 and led the team to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006.

However, he has paid the price for not being able to build on the success with club president Joan Laporta deciding that he will not see out his contract, which was due to run to 2009.

"The administration of the club has decided that at the end of this season Frank Rijkaard will cease to be the coach of Barcelona and the position will be occupied by Josep Guardiola," Laporta told a news conference.

Former Spain international Guardiola spent 11 years as a player at Barcelona and has been in charge of the club's B team for the last 12 months.

[CmonYouSpurs]

Frank Rijkaard to Chelsea then

[jh1980]

Interesting to see how Guardiola does...

[CmonYouSpurs]

surprised they havent gone for a gigger named coach

[jh1980]

That's Barcelona for you though, they always do well by good servants of the club - it'll be popular with the Socios and presumably Guardiola has done well with the B Team.

[CmonYouSpurs]

sounds like he must have, and was a great player for them.

Sounds like they have been nurturing him for the job, getting tips from the more experienced first team coaches along the way

[jh1980]

Viva Guardiola!

[Golden_Boy™]

Was only a matter of time before Rijkaard left Barca. He's shown great dignity throughout the whole affair, as he's known for some time that his cards were marked.

As for Pep Guardiola as his replacement - I'd be quite excited if I was a Barca fan. He'll look to start a revolution there and rid of a whole host of players, bring in his own style of play etc.

All things considered, Rijkaard did fairly well at Barca. He was appointed manager in 2003 - won La Liga twice - in 2004–05 and in 2005–06 and of course the Champions League in 2005-06. Also he became the first Barca boss to beat Real Madrid twice at the Bernabeu, something even Cruyff and also Van Gaal never managed.

Just goes to show that even stoners can be good managers and win big cups.

[Billy]

May 9, 2008 7:37:37 GMT -1 CmonYouSpurs said:

surprised they havent gone for a gigger named coach

childish I know but I found that spelling mistake really funny ;D

[arover]

Guardiola was a legend at Barca but I'm not aware of him managing anywhere else and having experience.

Anyone enlighten me?

[arover]

Ah just read the tread properly he's been with the B team.

[CmonYouSpurs]

May 9, 2008 11:27:10 GMT -1 arover said:

Ah just read the tread properly he's been with the B team.

;D

[CHOPPER READ]

May 9, 2008 7:37:37 GMT -1 CmonYouSpurs said:

surprised they havent gone for a gigger named coach

Guardiola is a fairly big name,9 letters.

[CmonYouSpurs]

May 9, 2008 15:04:21 GMT -1 CHOPPER READ said:

May 9, 2008 7:37:37 GMT -1 CmonYouSpurs said:

surprised they havent gone for a gigger named coach

Guardiola is a fairly big name,9 letters.

[Golden_Boy™]

This banner at Camp Nou after Barca lost their last home game and were booed by their own fans.

[jh1980]

LOL GB that is brilliant!

[MagicalUnited]

just a quick one here..................

Guardiola is Fabregas long term hero and idol............barca have always wanted Cesc.


do you see where this is going