Laporta: Rijkaard staying at Barca

Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists Frank Rijkaard’s job is safe.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was linked with a move to the Nou Camp this week, but Laporta today stated “Rijkaard will be the coach next season” despite Barca relinquishing the league title to Real Madrid at the weekend.

Laporta told club’s website www.fcbarcelona.com: “We are all responsible to differing degrees of blame and responsibility. We share the profound disappointment of members and fans, especially because of the way we missed out on the league and the cup.”

He added: “Rijkaard will be the coach next season and he is fully motivated to do so. He will be quite aware of the measures to be taken and knows what errors have been committed.”

Laporta also insisted Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, who has been linked with Liverpool and AC Milan, will not be sold.