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Frank Rijkaard Lost The Players' Support At Barcelona – Joan Laporta
Barcelona had to act last summer to bring in a new coach...
07-Sep-2009 4:54:15 PM
Joan Laporta has revealed why he chose to remove Frank Rijkaard as coach of Barcelona, but admitted that even he is stunned by the success that Pep Guardiola has had.
The Blaugrana president drew criticism after deciding to dispense with the services of the Dutch trainer at the end of the 2007-08 campaign and throw an untried, yet popular, face into the job.
Rijkaard had helped to lift the Catalan club off its knees in his first three seasons in charge, guiding them to two league titles and the 2006 Champions League title.
But in the following two seasons the club won nothing, and reports of dressing room unrest and lax rules allowing the players to come and go as they pleased did not impress the president.
"Frank lost his authority in the dressing room," Laporta told La Vanguardia, before reflecting on the decision to appoint Guardiola.
"Pep has truly gone on to exceed all expectations," he added.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
The Blaugrana president drew criticism after deciding to dispense with the services of the Dutch trainer at the end of the 2007-08 campaign and throw an untried, yet popular, face into the job.
Rijkaard had helped to lift the Catalan club off its knees in his first three seasons in charge, guiding them to two league titles and the 2006 Champions League title.
But in the following two seasons the club won nothing, and reports of dressing room unrest and lax rules allowing the players to come and go as they pleased did not impress the president.
"Frank lost his authority in the dressing room," Laporta told La Vanguardia, before reflecting on the decision to appoint Guardiola.
"Pep has truly gone on to exceed all expectations," he added.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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