Barca confirms Guardiola as Rijkaard axed

MADRID: Less than 24 hours after their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico Barcelona has announced that the club's reserve team coach Pep Guardiola, a former player, will take over from Frank Rijkaard at the end of the season.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced the news on Thursday at a press conference as Rijkaard pays the price for two years without a trophy.

"The administration of the club has decided that at the end of this season Frank Rijkaard will cease to be the coach of Barcelona and the position will be occupied by Josep Guardiola," Laporta said.