Official: Pep Guardiola next Barcelona manager

[kennethlindheim]

It surprises me that they picked a man with no particular experience. It's a huge risk. I fear that this choice only will drag Barca longer down in the mud. His plans are okay but to make a good head coach you need more than only just good plans.

[Lemmy]

He´ll do a good job. The players need some more discipline, and there is no one better than Guardiola´s hard ass.

[Oliver_Kahn]

It has been confirmed by Joan Laporta in a press conference this afternoon.
Pep Guardiola will take over next season.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be replaced by former player Pep Guardiola in the summer, according to club president Joan Laporta.

Rijkaard has come under increasing pressure since failing to any deliver silverware following their domestic and European double in 2006, and the writing was on the wall well before the humiliating 4-1 drubbing at Real Madrid after their bitter rivals' consecutive Liga title win.

The Dutchman joined the club in 2003 and turned around the fortunes of an underachieving side while playing expansive, attacking football based around Brazilian star Ronaldinho.

But as Ronaldinho's form and commitment dipped, Rijkaard's control over his charges waned and he was widely expected to leave the club in the summer.

However, the real surprise is the appointment of Guardiola, who has no senior management experience although has coached the club's B team since retiring as a player in 2007.

A former Spain international midfielder, Guardiola spent the majority of his playing career at Barca before an ill-fated spell in Italy with Brescia and Roma that was marred by a six-month drug ban in 2001 that was successfully appealed six years later.

La Liga - Rijkaard out, Guardiola in - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

[Pat Murphy]

Rijkaard until 30th June; Guardiola to take over

This Thursday the Board of Directors agreed that Frank Rijkaard will leave the Club at the end of the season. Barça B coach, Josep Guardiola, will take over the reins of the first team after 30th June.


Speaking at a press conference held after this afternoon’s Board meeting, Club president Joan Laporta announced the decision to relieve the Dutch coach of his duties and praised the contribution he has made over the last few seasons: “He’s done an excellent job and behaved excellently. We will remember Frank Rijkaard as the coach who led the recovery of the team and in three years took it to the glory of Paris”.

"An exceptional record"

Laporta describe Frank Rijkaard’s record with the first team as “exceptional”: two Spanish league titles, two Super Cups and a Champions League title. He stressed that Rijkaard’s achievements “should not be obscured by the results of the last two seasons”. He added: “We can conclude that Frank Rijkaard has made history”.

Laporta tells Rijkaard in person

Joan Laporta spoke in person to Frank Rijkaard this morning after training to inform him of the decision to relieve him of his duties after 30th June: “He was very elegant. It was a very emotional moment. It’s difficult for me to find any fault with him”.

The end of a cycle

Joan Laporta explained that although Frank Rijkaard still had a year left on his contract, it was time for a change: “It’s the end of a cycle and the results haven’t gone our way. It’s proof that the mistakes we detected last year haven’t been corrected”.

Guardiola, renewed continuity

The president also spoke about Josep Guardiola, the man who will take over from Frank Rijkaard next season: “We believe in Guardiola to lead the new sporting project. He guarantees renewed continuity in the footballing style that has given us success”.

Guardiola's qualities

Referring to Guardiola’s capacity to take on the task, Laporta told reporters: "He has the knowledge, the enthusiasm, the self confidence and the love for the Club that are necessary”. Guardiola will be officially unveiled later on, when Barça B finish their participation in the play-offs to Second Division B.

The Board’s decision to appoint Guardiola was taken unanimously.

A moment for self-criticism

Mr Laporta, who announced that the season and the players would be evaluated at the end of the season, also accepted some of the blame for the way the season has gone: “I am also responsible. I’m sure we haven’t made the right decisions. Decisions have been taken that just didn’t work

"The players haven’t responded to the hopes we, and the coach, had in them. We had put together one of the best squads in the world”.

Official FCBarcelona Statement

FCBarcelona.cat

[Lemmy]

The good thing about this situation is that the club´s management got a replacement quickly and with no confusion