Frank Rijkaard is a world-renowned soccer player and manager known for his aggressive and no-nonsense style of play. His stage as coach of FC Barcelona (familiarly known to his fans simply as Barça) was marked by success and controversy.

The period in which Rijkaard joined FC Barcelona was one of great upheaval for the club. The last few years had been very disappointing, accentuated by the comings and goings of players and coaches, including the betrayal of vice-captain Luis Figo, who left the team to join rival Real Madrid. Newly elected FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta desperately wanted to turn things around for the team and started by bringing in Dutchman Rijkaard as manager in 2003. Rijkaard’s appointment came as a surprise to FC Barcelona fans due to his inexperience and tarnished reputation.

Rijkaard had made a name for himself as an AC Milan player years earlier. Although he had played for other teams before and after, it was during his time with AC Milan that he was best known. Rijkaard was known for his aggressive style and hot-headed temper, which brought him many victories and controversies, respectively.

However, when he sat in the Barca coach’s chair, he had his temper under control. He had already spent two years on the Dutch national soccer team, taking it to the semi-finals of Euro 2000, and two years managing Sparta Rotterdam, where he did not fare so well. This regular performance seemed to light a fire in the young manager, as he arrived at FC Barcelona with a new purpose. Rijkaard was now known simply as a no-nonsense manager with little ostentation. He let his actions and those of his players speak for themselves on and off the field. They just wanted to win the match in the most impressive way possible.

Although he got off to a slow start (losing to arch-rivals Real Madrid in December 2003), Rijkaard soon turned the team around. FC Barcelona finished the 03-04 season as runners-up in La Liga before Rijkaard brought in new players to complete the squad. The incorporation of the new squad allowed the club to go on to win the League two consecutive years in 04-05 and 05-06.

Rijkaard was the first Barça coach to win twice at the Santiago Barnebeu, his rival’s pitch. He was also nominated for the UEFA Team of the Year in 2005 and honored in 2006 for his contributions to the European Cup. He also led the team to victory in the 2005-06 Champions League, making him only the fifth person to win the European Cup as both manager and player.

After these victories, however, came a drought. The following two years were not so good for the team, culminating in a loss to Manchester United in the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League semi-final. After this, there was much speculation about Rijkaard’s departure from the club, due to their not winning a trophy for two years. Finally, on May 8, 2008, it was announced that Frank Rijkaard would be leaving the team at the end of the season.

Rijkaard has now been replaced by Barça B manager Josep Guardiola. Many players have left the team and have been replaced with good prospects. What this means for the future of the team remains to be seen. With the fickle nature of football club presidents and fans, it remains to be seen how Guardiola will measure up to his predecessors.