Frank Rijkaard is a world-renowned soccer player and coach known for his aggressive and serious style of play. His management as coach of FC Barcelona (familiarly known for his hobby simply as Barça) was marked by successes and controversy.
The period in which Rijkaard joined FC Barcelona was one of great turmoil for the club. The last few years had been very disappointing, accentuated by the coming and going of players and coaches, including the betrayal of Vice Captain Luis Figo, who left the team to join his rival, Real Madrid. Newly elected FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta desperately wanted to turn things around for the team and began by bringing in Dutch Rijkaard as coach in 2003. Rijkaard’s appointment surprised FC Barcelona fans due to his inexperience and his tarnished reputation.
Rijkaard had made a name for himself as an AC Milan player years before. Although he had played for other teams before and after, it was during his tenure as an AC Milan player that he was best known. Rijkaard was known for his aggressive style and fiery temperament, which brought him many victories and controversy, respectively.
However, when he sat in the Barça coach chair, he had his temper under control. He had already spent two years in the Dutch national soccer team, leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 2000, and two years managing Sparta Rotterdam, where he did not fare so well. This regular performance seemed to light a fire under the young coach, as he came to FC Barcelona with a new purpose. Rijkaard was now known simply as a no-nonsense administrator with little flash. He let his actions and those of his players speak for themselves on and off the field. They just wanted to win the match in the most impressive way possible.
Although he got off to a slow start (he lost to arch rival Real Madrid in December 2003), Rijkaard soon switched teams. FC Barcelona finished the 03-04 season as La Liga runners-up before Rijkaard brought in new players to complete the squad. The incorporation of the new squad allowed the club to win the League for two consecutive years on 04-05 and 05-06.
Rijkaard was the first Barça coach to win twice at Santiago Barnebeu, his rival’s playing field. He was also nominated for the UEFA Team of the Year in 2005 and honored in 2006 for his contributions to the European Cup. He also led the team to a victory in the 2005-06 Champions League, making him the fifth person to win the European Cup as a coach and as a player.
After these victories, however, came a drought. The next two years were not so good for the team, culminating in a loss to Manchester United in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League ’07 -’08. After this, there was much speculation about Rijkaard’s departure from the club, due to not winning a trophy for two years. Finally, on May 8, 2008, it was announced that Frank Rijkaard would be leaving the team at the end of the season.
Rijkaard has been replaced by Barça B coach Josep Guardiola. Many players have left the team and have been replaced by good prospects. What this means for the team’s future remains to be seen. With the fickle nature of soccer club presidents and fans, it remains to be seen how Guardiola will measure up to his predecessors.