Barcelona president Joan Laporta has approached Frank Rijkaard to take over as coach from Xavi this summer.
David Sanchez, host of Radio Marca, revealed on Wednesday that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has a surprise choice of Sir to take over as coach of Barcelona. The Azulgrana team is Frank Rijkaard, a 61-year-old trainer who has not coached in more than a decade.
Rijkaard previously worked as Barcelona’s trainer from 2003-2008, initially as Laporta’s club president after leaving Camp Nou. The Dutchman was unsuccessful as Galatasa’s coach. Rai in the 2009-2010 season and boss of the Saudi national team from 2011-2013 until he announced his retirement in December 2016.
According to a report from UFABET, Laporta has contacted Rijkaard to ask if he would like to return to Camp Nou this summer after Xabi Hernandez leaves the club. He told the 61-year-old trainer that he could bring in Marco Van Basten to work as an assistant as well.
Even though Rijkaard has no intention of returning to coaching again. But he did not immediately reject Laporta’s invitation, with the Barca president still having enough time to convince the 61-year-old, who still works as an ambassador for the Johan Cruyff Foundation and lives with His family in present-day Amsterdam.
In his managerial career, he is most well known for his five-year tenure at Barcelona where he won the 2004–05 and 2005–06 La Liga titles, as well as the 2005–06 Champions League. He has also managed the Netherlands national team, Sparta Rotterdam, Galatasaray and the Saudi Arabia national team.