NEWSMAKER-Soccer-Rijkaard era comes to an end at Barcelona

By Simon Baskett

MADRID, May 8 (Reuters) - When Frank Rijkaard was appointed coach of Barcelona in 2003 he took charge of a team demoralised by four years of underachievement, instability and political in-fighting.

Over the next three seasons the Dutchman steered the Catalans to back-to-back league titles, victory in the Champions League and helped them become the most attractive side on the continent.

Lauded for his commitment to open, attacking football, his skilful management of high-profile players, unflappable temperament and self-effacing manner, he was seen as the perfect coach for a club that had been in crisis since 1999.

But the team's failure to maintain high standards, their surrender of the league to arch-rivals Real Madrid last season and rifts in the dressing room have meant that the very characteristics that were once so admired in Rijkaard had come to be seen as flaws.

Accused of being passive, tactically naive and too soft on the players, it was his inability to halt the club's slide in form that brought a premature end to his time at Barcelona.

At his appointment, Rijkaard's credentials were challenged because of his lack of coaching experience and the fact that he was third choice behind fellow Dutchmen Guus Hiddink and Ronald Koeman.

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