Guardiola to take Barca reins
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Guardiola: New man at the helm
Barcalona have confirmed that manager Frank Rijkaard will be replaced by Josep Guardiola at the end of the season.
Rijkaard vowed to continue in the job after Barca lost to Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last week.
However, Barca's disappointing domestic campaign carried on as they were defeated 4-1 by fierce rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Real have already clinched the Primera Liga title and Barca will finish the season without any silverware.
Rijkaard took charge of Barcelona in 2003 and led the team to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006.
However, he has paid the price for not being able to build on the success with club president Joan Laporta deciding that he will not see out his contract, which was due to run to 2009.
"The administration of the club has decided that at the end of this season Frank Rijkaard will cease to be the coach of Barcelona and the position will be occupied by Josep Guardiola," Laporta told a news conference.
Former Spain international Guardiola spent 11 years as a player at Barcelona and has been in charge of the club's B team for the last 12 months.
Sky
