Barcelona have played down speculation that they are looking to replace Frank Rijkaard, their manager, with Jose Mourinho. Rijkaard, who is under contract until 2009, as led Barcelona to two league titles, the Champions League and two Spanish Supercups since taking over at the Nou Camp in 2003.
But a barren campaign in 2006/07 and a stuttering season this time around has led to speculation about the Dutchman’s long-term future at the Catalan giants.
However, Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, has denied reports that the club plans to recruit the former Chelsea manager as his replacement.
“We are very happy with Rijkaard and I don’t plan to bring in another coach. We know that everybody wants to come to Barcelona, but also we know that we cannot have more than one coach or more than 23 players,” Laporta said. “Mourinho is a great professional, a great coach, but I insist that we are very happy with Rijkaard.”
Ronaldinho’s future at Barcelona has also been the source of much debate, with the 27-year-old regularly being linked with moves to clubs such as AC Milan, Inter Milan and Chelsea.
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However, Laporta stressed the former Fifa World Player of the Year - who recently returned to action following a month on the sidelines through injury - is not on the market.
“As I have said many times, we don’t want to sell Ronaldinho,” Laporta said. “He has a contract, and he has said he is happy at this city and this club. Barcelona’s obligation is to try to help him recover so that he returns to be how he was before. We are very grateful to him for what he has done for us.”