Rijkaard replaces Antic at Barça
Monday, June 23, 2003
Article summary
FC Barcelona have appointed Frank Rijkaard as their new coach in place of Radomir Antic.
Article body
Bad news
The club announced Antic's departure this morning after a meeting between the Serbian trainer and Barcelona's new president, Joan Laporta, director Sandro Rosell, and technical director Txiki Begiristain.
No extension
Begiristain told reporters that Barcelona would not be taking up the optional one-year extension to Antic's contract, saying: "We have just spoken to Radomir Antic and informed him of our decision not to keep him on as coach."
European place
The technical director acknowledged the outgoing coach's role in leading Barcelona to sixth place in the Primera División, and UEFA Cup qualification, which they achieved with a 2-0 home win against RC Celta de Vigo yesterday.
'Objective met'
"Antic is a very good coach. He met his objective by getting the club into Europe via the UEFA Cup, but we have other names in mind," he said.
Coaching pedigree
The 53-year-old Antic also took the Catalan team to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. He had become the first man to coach Barcelona, Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid when he replaced Louis van Gaal in the Camp Nou hot seat at the end of January.
De Boer departure
Also leaving Barcelona is Dutch international Frank de Boer, whose contract will not be renewed after it expires on 30 June. However, compatriot Phillip Cocu, another player who is out of contract this summer, has been offered a new 12-month deal.
