Barcelona confirm Rijkaard departure

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be replaced by Josep Guardiola at the end of the season, club president Joan Laporta has revealed.

The decision, announced by Laporta after a board meeting today, comes just a day after Barcelona suffered a 4-1 humiliation at the hands of bitter rivals and newly-crowned Primera Liga champions Real Madrid.

Guardiola, a former Barcelona player, is the current coach of the reserves and will officially replace Rijkaard on June 30.