Frank Rijkaard Rumored to be Leaving Barcelona

By: Bob | February 16th, 2007

Truth be told, I have always liked Frank Rijkaard. He was enjoyable to watch as a player, spitting incident and all, and he has done an admirable job as a manager for Barcelona. He has also given hope to mop-topped people and muppets everywhere. Rijkaard is alright in my book. I’m just afraid that we are all going to be sick of hearing about him during the next few months.

Reports from those nefarious “unnamed sources” in Spain today say that Rijkaard is going to step down from his gig at Barca at the end of the La Liga season. The timing of all this is a bit suspect with Barcelona playing in the Champions League next week and the team coming off a mini soap opera involving Rijkaard and Samuel Eto’o. There is some speculation that Rijkaard will pack up the hair gel and move to AC Milan, a club that has struggled this year in Serie A and that might be happy to welcome back one of its former players.

It is always interesting to me to see how long coaches last at a particular club. You would think that Barcelona would be a place that you’d want to stay awhile. The club is earning buckets of cash, the team has won two straight league titles and the Champions League last year, and even with the minor turmoil it is poised to add a few more trophies this year.

At the same time, you always run the risk as a manager of having your message go stale. The players can start to tune you out after awhile and when you are on top of the world the media and opposing teams would like little more than to bring you down. Just look at Jose Mourinho and Chelsea. He’s another guy who has had nothing but success and still is being linked to jobs all over the planet.

If Rijkaard does announce that he is leaving or if he remains silent about the subject or even if he denies it, you can bet we will see the usual firestorm of speculation as to where he will end up next. At just 44 yeas of age he still had plenty of coaching years ahead of him and plenty of fight.

	Soccer Forums	Team/International Results

Category: Spain La Liga, World Football

Tags: Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard, Managers, Spain La Liga, World Football

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Comments  

• Luis |  February 16th, 2007 at 1:33 pm

  
  
  

  Nice post Bob.

  Posted from United States

  

• Connor |  February 16th, 2007 at 2:16 pm

  
  
  

  I’m a fan of Frank too.

  Posted from United States

  

• Trent |  February 16th, 2007 at 2:17 pm

  
  
  

  Why not a straight up trade? Frank for The Special One.

  We already know that the two clubs, Chelsea and Barca, will play each other in the Champions League every year for eternity. Makes sense to me.

  Posted from United States

  

• Cham |  February 16th, 2007 at 4:42 pm

  
  
  

  He could coach England’s National team; I hear they’re looking for a new coach. A name like Rijkaard screams Team England.

  Posted from United States

  

• blackwhiteandgrey |  February 17th, 2007 at 1:02 am

  
  
  

  I do hope he doesn’t go – he’s perfect for Barca, and it’s kind of a sign of how mental the club is that he’s one of our longest serving coaches (3 and a half seasons!) despite all that. Kind of stunning given that we’ve had the likes of Sir Bobby Robinson, Johan Cruyff and the father of total football as coaches.

  That video from the Espanyol game is genius. You still wouldn’t want to piss him off, even 10 years after his retirement.

  Posted from Australia

  

• jesse |  February 17th, 2007 at 2:10 am

  
  
  

  Rijkaard should stay homies because he won da champo league and da league in one season

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Brian |  February 19th, 2007 at 4:49 am

  
  
  

  I am a fan of Barcelona and i really hope he doesnt leave because he is barca’s brain and if he leaves barca wont be able to manage.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

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