++ [ originally posted by Erik ] ++
The only reason Rijkaard got the job is because Johan Cruyff has a VERY big influence in Barca backstage. I really wish he stopped interfering.
Rijkaard sucks as coach. He did a reasonable job with the NT but completely screwed up Sparta Rotterdam. The club was more than capable of ending up in the higher part of the table but he managed to get them relegated!
About Rijkaard's assitant Henk ten Cate: he is simply GREAT. He managed to get a below average club (NAC Breda) high in the table with only little material. Arguably Holland's best coach of last season, next to Ronald Koeman.
Cruyff is Barca's most legendary figure, and a great coach and manager to boot. Why would anyone prevent him from helping the club?
As for Rijki's performance at Rotterdam, I can only agree with you, his contributions to the club were nothing but negative, though he was not the only reason for their demise.
That doesn't mean, however, that Rijki isn't the man for Barca. Seems to me that if Cruyff wants him, then that's the way to go. Maybe I trust in Johan too much, but then again, why doubt him?