Frank Rijkaard

Frank Rijkaard (born September 30, 1962 in Amsterdam) is a former Dutch football player. He has been the manager of FC Barcelona since 2003. In one of his less glorious moments Frank spat at Rudi Völler during the match with Germany at the {{Wc|1990}}.

Related Topics:
September 30 - 1962 - Amsterdam - Dutch - Football - FC Barcelona - 2003 - Rudi Völler - Germany

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Frank Rijkaard, was born in Amsterdam, and broke into the Ajax senior squad in 1980, at the tender age of 17.He under coach Leo Beenhakker in the season 1980-81, immediately scoring for his team in the 4-2 victory over Go Ahead Eagles. He would play another 23 games for Ajax in his first season netting a total of 4 goals. In 1982 he would win his first National Championship with Ajax, and would defend that title a year later. In 1987, what would have been Rijkaard's fouth year under Dutch football legend Johan Cruijff as head coach, Rijkaard stormed off the training field and vowed never to play under him again. He was signed by Sporting Lisbon, but just too late and he was ineligible to play in any games. He was immediately loaned out to Spanish team Real Zaragoza and upon completing his first season after leaving Ajax was signed by Italian side AC Milan.

Related Topics:
Leo Beenhakker - 1980 - 81 - Go Ahead Eagles - Johan Cruijff - Sporting Lisbon - Real Zaragoza - AC Milan

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His 5 seasons at Milan nearly made him a legend himself. Alongside fellow country-men Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, Milan won the European Cup twice and the scudetto twice. Finally after 5 incredible seasons Rijkaard returned to Ajax. In his last 2 seasons as a professional footballer, he won the Dutch Championship twice and in his final game won the European Championship (which had been renamed as the Champions League) again, with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the final. It was then that Arrigo Sacchi decided that he could manage and mould Rijkaard to play a 'pivotal' role in his Milan side. He also apologized to Cruyff during the period.However, lest everyone think that he had been tamed by Sacchi, he displayed his darker shades every now and then, the most famous one being when he spat on Rudi Voller during the 90 World Cup.

Related Topics:
Marco van Basten - Ruud Gullit - European Cup - Scudetto

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Rijkaard made his debut for Holland in 1981, alongside his childhood friend Ruud Gullit. He was part of the Dutch side that won {{Ec|88}} with a 2-0 win in the final over the Soviet Union, playing at center-back alongside Ronald Koeman. He won a total of 73 caps and scoring 10 goals. Rijkaard also played for the Netherlands during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and at {{Ec|92}}. He made his final appearance for Holland in the 3-2 defeat against eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals of the {{Wc|1994}}.

Related Topics:
Ruud Gullit - Soviet Union - Ronald Koeman - Netherlands - Brazil

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His coaching career started out of the blue with no experience or coaching training when he took the job of National Coach of Holland in 1998 with the goal of winning {{Ec2|2000}}, which were jointly hosted by Holland and Belgium. Not many took him seriously, though. But when his side booked a semi-final berth against the Italians by routing Yugoslavia 6-1, Netherlands started to root for him. After the loss to Italy in the semi-finals, Rijkaard quit, shocking the press, fans, and even players who would have liked to see him stay.

Related Topics:
Belgium - Italy

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After a two year break, he took up the top job at Sparta Rotterdam in 2002, only too see them relegated in his first year in charge, for the first time in the club's history. The season had been marred by disagreements with directors, and it was no surprise that an unceremonious exit ensued.

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If his under-achievement with Sparta surprised a few, his appointment as head coach of Barcelona had the footballing world in a tizzy, particularly as the likes of Guus Hiddink and Ronald Koeman were under consideration. Apparently, he came highly recommended by Barcelona great,Johan Cruyff.

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He set about trying to reconstruct a team that had won nothing for four years, but was unable to find the right formation. Despite having the likes of Ronaldinho, Kluivert, Saviola, Cocu, Overmars, Xavi, and Luis Enrique at his disposal, the team continued to under-perform.

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Calls for his removal grew louder by the day, as ghosts from Rotterdam returned to haunt Barcelona. After a 5-1 thrashing by Malaga in December had left Barca just three points above the relegation zone, everyone in the club wanted him out. Everyone, but the president. Backed by a rather lonely looking Joan Laporta, Rijkaard refused to resign.

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He was determined to make it work. A change in formation (from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3) followed, and with it success. Relieved of defensive duties, Xavi had found a more creative role in the middle, and Ronaldinho was relishing the space he was finding out on the left.

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Barcelona were suddenly winning, and put together a run that saw them overcome a 17 point deficit to Real Madrid, eventually finishing second to Valencia. Boosted by the summer signings of the likes of Eto'o, Guily, and Deco, the squad went on to win La Liga in 2004-05.

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In just his second season as Head Coach, and is widely recognized as one of the best football managers in the world.

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Rijkaard was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

Related Topics:
Pelé - Top 125 greatest living footballers - 2004

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He was known for his dominating presence on the field, both physically and verbally. Colleagues respected him, yet were wary of him, while coaches loved his performances yet loathed his temper.

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