Barcelona Remove Rijkaard
Barcelona have announced that manager Frank Rijkaard will not return as manager next season.
Rijkaard, 45, led Barca to consecutive Spanish titles in 2005 and 2006, as well as a Champions League victory in 2006. He is also the only Barcelona manager to beat Real Madrid twice at the Santiago Bernabeu. At his peak Barcelona were the best club in the world, though internal discord and a dearth of silverware scarred his last two seasons.
Barcelona will replace Rijkaard with former Barca star Josep Guardiola, who managed the B squad last season.
After the profound disappointment, a Rijkaard divorce made the most sense for Barca. The club needs a clear-out. Rijkaard’s relationships with the board and players are strained. A fresh gaffer was needed to gut and construct anew.
Barca’s hiring of Guardiola, however, arouses curiosity. Pep possesses only a single year of lower league managerial experience. Barcelona grabbed a three year-old with a kickboard and tossed him into a tumultuous undertow. Even if he is a precocious three year-old, it is not a safe bet.
The club needs a stern presence to nullify their nattering nancies. One wonders if a rookie manager can handle such a task.
But, then again, he has worked in the Barcelona system all year. They appointed him immediately. Maybe the see something to which the rest of us aren’t privy. At the very least, we hope he forgoes the tight pants during his tenure–the gratuitous Rijkaard crotch shots during matches were not pleasant.
