16 responses so far ↓

• Jordi-FCB // Apr 2, 2008 at 23:47

  What a gutter I got all excited

• blaugranaboy // Apr 3, 2008 at 1:33

  i read before the CL game that this was an option. people have been impressed with his performance with the b team. it would be a interesting future if he was there. he will def command the respect of the players. pep was a legend.

• Hilal // Apr 3, 2008 at 2:32

  Wouldnt it be a bit Risky? Does he have a coaching history besides our B team? I would prefer Laudrup, at least he has some experience. I am not sure if Mourinho is even in the frame anymore. All the talk seems to be of these 2 plus Blanc, who I cant say I have heard very much about.

• Winterhunt // Apr 3, 2008 at 5:33

  If we are going to sack Frank then we’d better get a proven coach who will command respect and has proven he can handle all that coaching a big club, and players with big egos, and big pressure from the media and perpetuall unsatisfied fans. This is not for a beginner. I just don’t see sacking Frank who has one of only two Champion’s League/European Championships in this club’s history unless it is for Mourinho or someone of that stature, and there are very few of them out there… Lippi, if he’s not too old is a maybe….. not too keen on Rafa Benitez…. Laudrup really has to show more than one year at a medium sized club…. Pep just wouldn’t work for me, going from 3rd division (or is it fourth???) to Nou Camp is just too much of a leap of faith for me…… I mean he’s coaching 16 year olds in 2000 seat stadiums, and you would be asking him to take one of the top clubs in the world…… No Way, only Jose or I’ll take my chances with Frank….. At least he’s won the double, won Liga twice, and was achampion as a player, and is in keeping with the whole vibe of the club…. Change for the sake of change is just rolling the dice…. Either get us a proven winner or let Frank continue on with a healthy squad which he has not had for two straight years…..

• John // Apr 3, 2008 at 8:25

  If Laporta appoints Pep Guardiola as the new manager he should be have his head examined!!!!! to make him assistant to a new coach like Jose.. would be a shrewd move and would look like foring a long term strategy… Such a masisve leap for Guardiola could be prove to be a disaster… Or is Laporta more stupid than I thought!!!

• blaugranaboy // Apr 3, 2008 at 10:24

  i also wouldnt apppoint him at this point. but you all are quick to forget that rijkaard took over barca only in his second year ever as a professional CLUB manager. and before that he was with sparta in holland and got them relegated for the only time in thier history!!! not to mention frank’s awful start his first year, where if it wasnt for laporta strong backbone, he would have been sacked. mourinho also only took over porto after a quick stint as manager at lisbon. i dont want lippi. not a chance. he plays shitty, boring italian football and is prob too old and stubborn to do anything else.

  i would stick with frank as ive said previous times. id rather let roni go, i honestly think that will make a big change. it would be quite cool to bring pep as assistant though. neskens looks also too chilled and relaxed. but i think people underestimate the respect pep will get. he is one of the legendary midfielders here, and players will respect his former talents. and maybe his personality is disciplinarian, i dont know really. but i think sticking with frank is the best thing.

• Nic // Apr 3, 2008 at 10:49

  I don’t think the lack of experience is as important as some people say. For one thing, few have as much experience and understanding of how Football Club Barcelona works as Guardiola, he played under great coaches, was one of the best ‘readers’ of the game as a player. He has bags of passion combined with a cool head.
  However, the speculation is not a good thing at the moment and the club did well to publically support Rijkaard. At the end of the season we will see what happens.

• Oliver // Apr 3, 2008 at 11:30

  No smoke without fire… He has all the attributes of a top manager, but now is probably too early for him. Having said that he has so many things in his favour, not least the understanding of the club which gives him insight few others could claim to have. He certainly wouldn’t have to learn the club culture.

  Anyway, anyone who ignores you Nic is a fool! So for that he probably deserves to coach the B team a little longer until he learns some humility… (insert smiley)

• e10 // Apr 3, 2008 at 14:07

  The Barca board have done right by claiming that this rumor is not true.
  Just stick with Rijkard, i am still sure he is the right man.
  All he needs is to rebuild his squad (keep Ronnie)

• Hilal // Apr 3, 2008 at 14:11

  http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=645445

  Nic do you know if there is any truth to this story? Goal.com can be pretty unreliable but it is a very interesting story none the less. Any word of this in Spain?

• Joe Henry // Apr 3, 2008 at 15:36

  Well there goes next session & Ronnie ! So you guys think we can pull it off 2009/2010 I think it will be a great year for us. This is a joke give one f*cking reason why they shouldn’t even consider letting him go the team is a mess ! Lack of any thing the head couch is in charge off. And now after a statement like this Frank will be worse knowing his safe. I got to tell I told my self I should let this session go and be hopeful about the next that a brilliant. Even if we win any cup this year we will be horrible next year. PS its officaly in English :”FC Barcelona emphatically denies that a decision has been taken to replace the football coach, Frank Rijkaard, for the next season. The Dutch manager has a contract until the 2009 season and the Board of Directors has complete confidence in him”. Even if we get a friken angle from god to play we still wouldn’t be a good team, cause if you haven’t notice we already have the best players in the world. If some one doest agree that Frank is the problem, fine convince me other wise and point me to the problem.
  :http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/04/n080402102083.html

• Nic // Apr 3, 2008 at 15:55

  Hilal - As goal.com say the story was run this morning in El Sport. It may well be true, but reaching an agreement with the player is no guarantee that he will sign. And if he does he will be very expensive.
  Joe Henry - just because they give a press release doesn’t mean they won’t get rid of him. Laporta, however, would like him to continue, but he could still change his mind. Remember that Laporta is voted in by Barça members and if he feels the members are against Rijkaard he may sack him to save his own neck.

• BARCA 4 LYF // Apr 3, 2008 at 17:34

  Daniel Alves the best RB is comin to BARCA! And Zambrotta is going to Milan!

• Hilal // Apr 3, 2008 at 17:53

  Hmmm well i hope its true and while he would definitely cost an arm and a leg he would be worth every penny in my opinion. Can you imagine how strong our right side will be with Messi and Alves combining? Plus Alves can actually put a decent ball into the box, which is something neither Abidal nor Zambrotta are particularly good at. Sylvinho is great at it, but he doesn’t get enough games.

• Shahenshah // Apr 3, 2008 at 22:06

  I really dont mind if Rijkaard still stays as long as all the players are whipped to shape and discipline is restored. However if he choses or is chosen to leave the team, I’d rather see Laudrup over Mourinho.

  Goddamn.

  After watching getafe’s remarkable performance against Bayern Munich I am totally convinced Michael Laudrup should be the successor of Rijkaard.

  Mourinwho?

  The teamwork was astounding. They defended and attacked as a team. Obviously Bayern looked like the team with most talented individuals but in terms of teamplay, Getafe was not far away. Their passing was superbly intricate, drilling through the middle of the defence. They tried attacking from the wings but Lucio and Demicheles are too good in the air, plus Getafe doesnt have great crossing ability. However short passes on the ground, each player connected maginficiently. They were cautious on the ball, carefully playing each ball narrowly though the defence. It was sight to see.

  They pushed on and threatened a strong bayern defence constantly throughout the game until Contra nicely chipped one at the 89th minute to earn Getafe a duly deserved tie.

  Bayern was too good on the attack. Ribery was a madman. Stopping him was too difficult. Bayern got many chances to score but they couldnt capitalise because of a determined and persistence getafe.

  Their commitment was unbelievable. Attacking and defending throughout the 90 minutes.

  De La Red had a tremendous game. Excellent box to box midfielder, with a good touch and unique vision. Helped out huge in the defensive compartment. In the final minutes of the game the whole stadium was ringing with chants of his name. Incredible.

  Getafe were the heavy underdogs and despite that Laudrup’s men played quality football to match up to Bayern at home. A team that is regarded as a favourite to win the uefa cup. Now they lead the advantage with a precious away goal.

  If Laudrup can have that kind of influence on Barcelona, think of the possiblities. Laudrup was part of Barcelona’s dream team and that pride will demand so much of these players. Taking on Barcelona will be like facing a lightning bolt with metal armour. No matter how strong the armour is, you will be toast before you know it.

• Shahenshah // Apr 6, 2008 at 5:27

  Actually I retract my statement……..well huge essay. I dont want Laudrup as the coach of Barcelona. How the hell can we have a traitor as a coach?

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